January 16, 2014
Speech by the Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson
Consul-General Liang Shugen and Ma Shu
Members of the Consular Corps
Honoured guests,
Members of the South African Chinese community,
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening
Thank you very much for inviting me here this evening to this celebration
of the Chinese Spring Festival Nian Jie.
Mr Consul-General, I didn’t bring you a little red paper envelope but I am
sure you will still let me stay and remain part of the family.
It is always a great pleasure to meet with the Chinese community of Cape
Town and to also continue to build the good relations between the City
and the Consular team of the People’s Republic of China.
China, South Africa, and the broader African continent are, more than
ever before, enjoying renewed and reinvigorated relationships. Whether
exchanges are based in trade, culture, and economics, or in strategic
dialogue, there is no denying that keeping the lines of communication
open between our two nations is vital as we secure our place on the
global economic stage.
In Cape Town, our diversity is perhaps our greatest attribute.
The Chinese population of our City has long been an integral part of our
rich cultural tapestry.
Chinese Capetonians have, and continue to, valuably contribute to all
spheres of Cape Town life.
Widely regarded the world over for diligence and hard work, the Chinese
diaspora has made noteworthy contributions to the places they have
chosen to call home.
Cape Town is no different and we are proud to have such a vibrant and
active Chinese community who, whilst keeping their traditions alive at
events like this, also have fully embraced this City as their home.
I am sure that families will be gathering on the new-year’s eve for the
reunion dinner Nian Ye Fan and that the house will be properly springcleaned so that we can make way for incoming good luck.
I wish you well this start to the Year of the Horse and hope that you will
manage to spend time with your loved ones and that your celebrations
will be joyous.
May your happiness and longevity be complete.
Che Che.