19 THRIVE Edition 2 “The goal of the virtual international forum, hosted under the theme, ‘Opening New Horizons’ was to foster tourism collaboration, facilitate an exchange of knowledge and to discuss the strategic alliance between South Africa and China, amid a global pandemic”. On Wednesday, 4th of August 2021, the UJ Confucius Institute (UJCI), the Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS) and the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH) collaborated to host the inaugural virtual South Africa-China Tourism Cooperation webinar. The goal of the virtual international forum, hosted under the theme, “Opening New Horizons” was to foster tourism collaboration, facilitate an exchange of knowledge and to discuss the strategic alliance between South Africa and China, amid a global pandemic. Additionally, with STH being one of the best tourism School in Africa, and UJCI being one of the best bridges linking Africa and China, this collaboration was designed to propel UJ to play a leading role in the collaboration of the two countries, dedicated to the tourism industry in two countries. The Forum featured several high-profile speakers and delegates from both countries, amongst them; UJ Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, who delivered the welcoming address, and, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Mr. Fish Amos Mahlalela and Honourable Mr. Li Zhigang, Minister of the People’s Republic of China to South Africa who delivered a keynote address. Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Director General of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, China, Mr Xie Jinying, and Mr Liu Shijun, Secretary General of the World Tourism Alliance. Prof. Marwala held the Forum in high regard, and was proud that UJ faculties, institutions, and the community could work together to collectively contribute to society, particularly for the benefit of the tourism industry, which was devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. He shared his wish for UJ could host this high-level international Forum on an annual basis, and that through association with a multitude of high-level partners, UJ could develop strong relations in the tourism sector that will facilitate the development and growth of the discipline. The VC extended his special appreciation to the Co-Director of UJCI & CACS, Prof Peng Yi as well as the Director of STH, Prof Diane Abrahams for their outstanding organisation and execution of the Forum, Other keynote speakers from the Embassy of China, Department of Tourism of South Africa, and China expressed their gratitude to UJ for hosting such a wonderful academic international Forum for the benefit of the tourism industry for the first time in UJ HOSTS INAUGURAL SA-CHINA VIRTUAL INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON TOURISM Prof Peng Yi, the Co-Director of the UJ Confucius Institute and Centre for Africa- China Studies.
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