'A friend in need': City of Joburg and Chinese Consulate deliver aid to Alexandra fire victims
Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, partnered with City of Joburg and delivered aid to members of the Alexandra community members recently devastated by an inferno.
Image: Supplied
Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, in partnership with the Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, has delivered aid to members of the Alexandra community recently devastated by an inferno.
Arnolds stated that the aid donated by the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg would assist approximately 39 families facing displacement.
The aid, which included essential goods and groceries, marked the second visit the community has received support from well-wishers.
During a gathering to distribute the donations, Arnolds expressed gratitude to the Chinese mission for the financial contribution.
"We want to thank the Chinese Consulate General because they have given money towards this and they work well with us," she said.
"They’ve worked with us and they’ve allowed us to buy you essentials, with other donations. We will come back next week again to buy you some other stuff. At least these things can keep you going."
Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, and Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, visited the Alexandra community recently devastated by an inferno.
Image: Supplied
Consul General Pan said he was honored to join the humanitarian effort, expressing the Chinese consulate's sympathy to fire-affected families and offering assistance.
“I’m happy to join the Speaker to be part of the collective humanitarian relief for you after you were unfortunately affected by the fire. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate, we express our great sympathy and in China we have a saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.
“So through our small assistance, we hope that you will overcome the difficult time and return to normal life as soon as possible,” said Pan.
Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, delivered aid to members of the Alexandra community recently devastated by an inferno.
Image: Supplied
The Consulate General of China, working in conjunction with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, has donated educational support equipment and school furniture to Progress Comprehensive High School in Pimville, Soweto.
Since he arrived in South Africa in 2024, Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, has prioritised education among South African learners in Gauteng and Free State - the two provinces serviced by his diplomatic mission.
At the handover of the R250,000 donation, which was also attended by Gauteng Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe, the Chinese diplomat said the school furniture initiative is another manifestation of the many collaborative projects.
“I am greatly honoured to be here at the furniture handover event alongside the esteemed Speaker, Ms Morakane Mosupyoe. The consulate has maintained close collaboration with the Speaker in many areas to promote friendship between China and South Africa,” said Pan.
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