NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR VISITS FIRST CHINATOWN AND HONG NING.

10 July 2024 - Media Relase by TCA and Hong Ning.

The new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Wu Peng visited Johannesburg First Chinatown and Hong Ning Chinese Aged Home on 10 July 2024.

He was accompanied by Minister Zheng Bing Kai, Minister Counsellor Yin Qi, Counsellor Ci Ren, First Secretary Jiang Shan and Third Secretary Li Ya Hui.

They were joined by Mr. Pan Qing Jiang, Consul General of China in Johannesburg; Mr. Zhou Yu Jiang, Deputy Consul General and Consul Yang Hui Bo.

The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Walter Pon, Mayor of Johannesburg First Chinatown and Mr. Francis Lai Hong, Vice Chairman of TCA Gauteng (in the absence of Chairman Mr. Erwin Pon who is on business in Shanghai).

They proceeded to Sui Hing Hong where Mr. Walter Pon and his sister Ms. Gloria Pon relayed some interesting facts about the store which has been open since 1943, during the early days of Malaykum (Malay camp). This is how First Chinatown became known and due to the Apartheid laws at the time, the area was confined mostly to Chinese and Indian settlers.

After this they crossed the road to Sui Hing Wholesalers which has been in existence for more than 70 years making it the oldest fireworks store in Johannesburg. It is owned by Mr. King Pon, the Chairman of the SA Shunde Friendship Association. He is also a volunteer for consular assistance to the People's Republic of China to look after the interests of the Chinese community in South Africa.

The delegation then visited the Transvaal Chinese United Club (TCUC) or Woi Sor as it is commonly known amongst the local Chinese community. The TCUC building is an officially recognised Heritage Site and the association has been in existence since 1909 (more than 100 years).

Mr. Kwok Hong Lai, current Chairman, Mr. Benny Ho Lam and Mr. Johannes Johnson both ex-chairmen and other Executive members received our esteemed visitors and showed them some interesting historical artifacts that had been housed in the building.

Finally, the delegation was welcomed to the TCA Building by Mr. Francis Lai Hong, TCA Vice Chairman and Executive committee members Mr. Daniel Lee and Ms Erin Lai Thom (joint Secretary Generals)  and Mrs. Du Mann Ying, our Chinese Secretary.

The TCA is the governing body of all the local Chinese Associations in Gauteng and was formed in 1903, making it the oldest existing local Chinese Association (121 years).

The delegation viewed the photographic exhibits from Melanie Yap and Dianne Man’s book “Colour, Confusion and Concessions”- tracing the history of the Chinese in South Africa. The display potrayed a very vibrant Chinese Community during the 1950s to 1980s, before it diminished in numbers due to emigration and laws prohibiting new Chinese people from immigrating to South Africa. Mr. Walter Pon, Mayor of Johannesburg First Chinatown and Honorary Life President of Hong Ning Chinese Aged Home, explained the historical significance of the photos exhibited.

Ambassador Wu then addressed everyone from the associations who had come out to welcome him. It was pleasing to him that the community has not forgotten their Chinese origins and heritage. Further he stressed the importance of the South African Chinese community supporting the development of China-South Africa relationship. In closing Mr. Francis Lai-Hong, the Vice Chairperson of TCA presented the Honourable Ambassador, Mr. Wu Peng with a copy of this rare book, “Colour, Confusion and Concessions” which took Melanie Yap and Dianne Man, the joint authors, twenty years to research and produce. TCA is currently in the process of having the book digitalised and translated into a Chinese version.

Amongst those present to welcome Ambassador Wu and Consul General Pan and their respective delegations was Mrs Joyce Nam-Ford, CEO of Nam-Ford Attorneys. Joyce, as a proud member of the Chinese community and an attorney, instituted legal action against the racial prejudice towards the Chinese community in South Africa. The subsequent court victory set a legal precedent and helped restore the dignity of Chinese people all over the world.

From there the delegation travelled to the Hong Ning Chinese Aged Home, where Mr.Winkin Leong, the Chairman, Mr. Walter Pon, thr Honorary Life President and Ms. Shirleen Man, the Chairlady of the TCA Women’s Federation gave the delegation a guided tour of the home. Other Hong Ning committee members present were Mr. Francis Lai Hong (Vice Chairman), Mrs. Elaine Ho (Secretary General), Matron Nanette Walters (Head of Nursing Staff & Services) and Mrs. Shirlene Fung (Head of House Keeping).

Thereafter they spent some time greeting the residents in the Independent Living section as well as in Frail Care.

A generous donation of R60 000.00 from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China was presented by Ambassador Wu to Mr. Winkin Leong who expressed his extreme gratitude on behalf of Hong Ning.

Ambassador Wu mentioned to Winkin that he was pleased at how well the Home was run and the dedicated care and compassion received by the elderly and disabled at the Home.

The management, staff and residents of Hong Ning were very touched and honoured by the visit and extremely grateful to Ambassador Wu and Consul General Pan for their interest and support of Hong Ning.

It was a privilege and rare occasion for us as a community to be honoured by a simultaneous visit from both the Embassy and Consulate General of the People's Republic of China. We would warmly welcome back both delegations and look forward to more frequent interactions, where they are able to spend more time with the committees and know and understand the associations, including Hong Ning, in a more relaxed setting.