China South pragmatic cooperation fruitful projects | Hisense | fruitful

On August 21st, at the BRICS Trade Expo, visitors had a conversation in front of the Hisense booth.

Photo by our reporter Yan Yunming

Figure 2: At the site of the South African Redstone Photothermal Project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, employees from both China and South Africa discussed the construction process of the light tower.

Competing for strong photography

Figure 3: A South African female worker works in the final assembly workshop of FAW South Africa factory.

Photo by our reporter Shi Yuanhao

Figure 4: A group photo of some teachers and students at the Confucius Institute of Durban Institute of Technology in South Africa.

Photo by reporter Yang Yi from our newspaper

Figure ⑤: Long Range of De A Wind Power Project.

Photo by Sheng Bin

The all-round mutually beneficial cooperation between China and South Africa has shown strong vitality and resilience, and has yielded fruitful results. It has become a successful example of the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" initiative to link Africa's development and promote South South cooperation.

Wind power projects——

"The symbol of cooperation in the field of new energy"

In recent years, through joint efforts, the new energy sector has become a new highlight and growth point of practical cooperation between China and South Africa.

On the mountains near the town of Dea in North Cape Province, South Africa, hundreds of tens of meters tall white "windmills" stand tall. The Germany Afghanistan wind power project, which was built and put into operation by China Longyuan Power Group South Africa Company, now has a cumulative power generation of more than 4.2 billion kilowatt hours, and has become a model of deepening and practical cooperation between China and South Africa.

The distance from the center of De'a Town to the wind power project is less than 10 kilometers, but it took the reporter nearly an hour to drive. It's hard to imagine how the 80 meter high wind turbine main tower and 86 meter diameter wind turbine blades were transported and installed on such a rugged mountain road. According to Liu Lei, the engineer of the De A Wind Power Project, there are a total of 163 such wind turbines. As soon as the project started construction in 2015, the engineering personnel installed and debugged it day and night, and it was completed and put into operation in 2017.

Taking the elevator to the top of the wind turbine tower, one can overlook the blue sky and white clouds, where the wind turbines scattered on the peaks of the mountain ridge drive the wind into electricity. The current generated by the rotation of the wind turbine is boosted by the substation and transmitted to the South African National Grid for distribution and use.

South Africa is a major electricity producer in Africa, with 80% of the country's total electricity generation coming from coal-fired units. To achieve the goal of energy transformation, South Africa plans to increase the proportion of solar and wind energy in the energy structure from 7% to 40% by 2030. As one of the largest wind farms in Africa, the De A wind power project can provide 760 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, which is equivalent to saving over 200000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 600000 tons, meeting the electricity needs of 300000 local households.

On site manager Fan Turner stated that the De Ah wind power project has effectively alleviated the power shortage and unstable power supply in some parts of South Africa. "The wind farm operates safely and stably, providing a large amount of clean energy and ensuring the normal operation of the local economy and society."

The De A wind power project always pays attention to local ecological protection during construction and operation. Herton, a South African employee who has been working on the project for many years, said, "Bird perches are installed at the top of each pole here to reduce the damage of transmission equipment to birds. The company conducts long-term monitoring of the flora and fauna in the wind farm and hires ecological experts to evaluate it, ensuring the green and sustainable development of the entire project."

In the process of project construction and operation, Chinese enterprises actively promote localized procurement and employment, driving the construction of local upstream and downstream industrial chains and talent cultivation. During the project construction period, over 700 job opportunities were created, and during the operation period, over 100 long-term positions can be provided annually. In addition, relying on the daily operation process of the project, the project team provides local employees with academic education, including undergraduate and master's degrees, as well as skill training in high-pressure operations, high-altitude operations, and other areas. The company has also established a special community fund dedicated to public welfare in the community where the project is located, such as setting up four early education centers in De'a Town and regularly providing donations to local children.

"The De Ah wind power project is a symbol of cooperation in the field of new energy between South and China." South Africa's President of the National Assembly, Floric, said, "South Africa is expanding the scale of renewable energy development and enhancing its green energy supply capacity. We hope that Chinese companies can leverage their technological and innovative advantages to actively participate in the construction of new energy projects in South Africa and jointly address the challenges brought about by climate change."

Cooperation in the automotive industry——

"Chinese brands are highly recognized by the market"

In recent years, cooperation in the automotive industry between China and South China has achieved remarkable results. BAIC X55 won the "Best Home SUV in South Africa" award in the 2023 South Africa Annual Model Selection; Haval, a brand under Great Wall Motors, has become a frequent guest on the monthly list of the top ten best-selling car brands in South Africa. In July of this year, Chery Automobile also made it to the list; BYD has launched electric models in South Africa this year, helping local green travel... South African automotive industry journalist Ernest Page said that Chinese automotive companies have provided numerous high-quality products for South African consumers.

On the outskirts of Nelson Mandela Bay, on the highway near the Kuha Industrial Development Zone, the signs of FAW South Africa's factory are particularly prominent. White trucks are neatly arranged and will be transported to various parts of South Africa for delivery.

Entering the factory, the container unloading platform is busy unpacking and unloading, and various spare parts transportation vehicles shuttle back and forth. The final assembly workshop is even more bustling: on the U-shaped assembly line, dozens of workers are distributed at more than 10 locations for assembly line operations. Trucks go through various processes on the assembly line and are finally inspected before being orderly taken off the production line.

On the assembly line, the technical supervisor Jean Jacques Mwanza is carefully guiding other employees. This young man from Congo said that he joined FAW South Africa in 2009 and gradually grew from a technical worker to a technical supervisor here after the factory was built. "Chinese car brands are highly popular, and our business is thriving," Mwanza told reporters. In the office, the deputy warehouse supervisor Nobuherri Jacobs is checking the container cargo list in front of the computer to ensure that the quantity of goods is correct. She proudly said, "My job is very important, it is the starting point for all assembly work."

It is reported that apart from two Chinese employees responsible for overall operational management and technical support, nearly 200 employees at FAW South Africa's factory come from nearby communities. By collaborating with over 350 local suppliers, the factory has created over 1500 jobs. Ibrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, stated that FAW South Africa's factory has brought a large number of jobs to the local area, effectively promoting local economic and social development.

Last year, a car model from FAW won the runner up in the fuel saving competition organized by the professional magazine Focus in the field of transportation and logistics in South Africa. Now, in addition to supplying the local market, FAW South Africa's trucks are also sold to more than 10 other African countries. Yang Jian, the person in charge of FAW South Africa, introduced that the company provides quality processes and quality control processes that local users are concerned about, such as secondary spray painting, rust prevention, and road testing. Safety and fuel efficiency are also the main reasons why many users choose their products.

At present, the monthly production of FAW South Africa's factory has increased from the initial 25 vehicles to a maximum of over 300 vehicles. According to data from the South African Commercial Vehicle Association, in the first quarter of this year, FAW Truck's terminal sales reached 798 units, ranking first in the commercial vehicle market share ranking for the first time. South Africa's Cape Business News stated, "Chinese automotive products meet the unique usage needs of commercial vehicle customers in the South African region, and Chinese brands are highly recognized by the market."

Home Appliance Industry Park——

"A mutually beneficial and win-win business card"

The article points out that the home appliance industry parks, automobile and locomotive assembly plants, cement plants and other projects invested and constructed by Chinese companies in South Africa have created tens of thousands of job opportunities in the local area. Hisense TV and refrigerators, as major home appliance brands, have entered thousands of households in South Africa.

Recently, more than 50 business representatives from BRICS countries visited Hisense South Africa Industrial Park in the Atlantis area of Cape Town, South Africa. Fabrizio, a representative of a consulting firm from Brazil, said, "Practical cooperation among the BRICS countries has broad development space, and we hope to learn from Hisense's successful experience and strengthen cooperation with South Africa." Renel Stande, CEO of the Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Bureau of the Western Cape Province in South Africa, the organizer of the event, said, "Hisense South Africa Industrial Park brings employment and business opportunities to the local area, providing strong impetus for community development. We hope to have more excellent enterprises invest here."

In 2013, Hisense South Africa Industrial Park was jointly established by Hisense Group and the China Africa Development Fund. Today, the related products of the Industrial Park have entered more than 8000 stores in South Africa, and are also exported to more than 10 African countries, including Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Mozambique, and European countries, such as the United Kingdom. Hisense TV and refrigerators have become popular household appliances in South Africa, ranking among the top in market share for many consecutive years.

The development of industrial parks has driven the improvement of regional industrial chains. In a foam liner supply enterprise, the warehouse is full of stacked foam liners, most of which are produced for Hisense. Jimmy, the chief engineer of the company, said that 10 years ago, the company faced a business crisis. After becoming a supplier to Hisense, the company's operations gradually stabilized, production continued to expand, and more orders were received. "The cooperation process with Chinese enterprises reflects mutual benefit and win-win.".

At present, Hisense South Africa Industrial Park employs about 700 local employees, accounting for more than 90% of the total number of employees, and has created more than 4000 indirect employment positions. According to John, the Human Resources Manager of the Industrial Park, in addition to providing career counseling programs for employees, Hisense also collaborates with local vocational and technical schools to provide internships and training opportunities for graduates, helping them master electronic technology, software applications, and equipment operation skills.

South African Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Gina said, "After establishing an industrial park in Cape Town, Hisense has achieved rapid development and continuously improved the local economic and social level, injecting vitality into the overall development of South Africa's manufacturing industry and becoming a business card for mutual benefit and win-win between South and Central Africa."

South Africa is China's comprehensive strategic partner, and also the first African country to join the "the Belt and Road" cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea 25 years ago, the bilateral relationship has achieved leapfrog development, already surpassing the scope of bilateral relations and increasingly having a global impact. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, both sides will continuously deepen practical cooperation in various fields, work together to build a high-level community with a shared future between China and South Africa, and jointly write a new chapter in China Africa cooperation.