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July 27 – The Stories of Dunhuang – Episode 3 – Cups from Xuanquanzhi. The Western Han Dynasty established a well-organized pstal relay system. When envoys from the West entered the Hexi Corridor they would first stop at Xuanquan Post Station. A vast number of bamboo slips were unearthed at Xuanquan documenting how the Han Dynasty received foreign delegations. This story comes from one of those bamboo slips.
July 22 – The Stories of Dunhuang – Episode 2 -The Pipa of the Border. Along the Silk road music has always been the most gentle companion of desert travelers. Deep within the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, in cave 285 is a painting of a Pipa. The Pipa dates back to the Han dynasty, originally known has the “Han Pipa” Legend has it that it was tied to a princess who was married off to a distant land in the Western regions. What stories did she weave through her music.
July 15 – The Stories of Dunhuang – Episode 1 – The Painting of Mount Wutai. Hidden deep inside the Magoa Grottoes a gigantic mural depicts the granduer of Mount Wutai. Behind this epic mural lies the story of the King of Khotan.
July 01 – The Stories of Dunhuang – Dunhuang culture is the product of long-term exchange and integration between Chinese civilization and many others. This fusion created a brilliant cultural legacy distinguished by Dunhuang’s grandeur, style, and unique spirit.
Grounded in Dunhuang culture and the spirit of the Silk Road, this film uses vivid and varied animation to bring to life the splendor of Dunhuang over the past thousand years. Set against the backdrop of history, it breaks down the richness of Dunhuang culture into accessible parts, woven together by the theme of harmony, guiding audiences through the city’s unique charm across different eras.
Thirteen stories, organized under themes such as Western Regions legends, mural art, music and dance, Sino-Western exchanges, grotto art, and cultural heritage, portray the flourishing cultural exchanges along the Silk Road with Dunhuang as a central hub, and artistically present the city’s rise and decline. The aim is to highlight Dunhuang’s thousand-year history and unparalleled artistic appeal.
Animated figures like the graceful Feitian (flying apsaras) and lively “spirits,” drawn from murals, are interwoven into the narrative. These elements showcase Dunhuang’s visual and artistic richness while appealing to audiences of all ages.
By immersing themselves in these stories, then returning to reality to see them preserved as murals, sculptures, and manuscripts, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of Dunhuang’s significant to its people, to China, and to the world.
May 01 – China-Africa Zero tarrif Agreement – Officials and business leaders in South Africa and Kenya welcomed China’s zero‑tariff policy for 53 African countries, saying the measure will expand trade opportunities, lower costs for small enterprises, and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
April 02 – China’s Golden Age – A South African professor says China is entering a golden age of high-tech innovation and development, expected to drive new growth and create opportunities for Africa as China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan.
April 01 – SA-China Agriculture – South Africa is expecting a boost in its agricultural exports to China following the upcoming implementation of China’s zero-tariff policy for the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, which takes effect on May 1.
Mar 31 – China’s Rural Revitalisation model – The success of China’s rural revitalization efforts have transformed livelihoods and may serve as a model for other developing countries, according to officials at the primary level from southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
Mar 30 – Luban Workshop – China’s vocational workshop initiative training talent overseas, has for years served as a bridge for innovation and skills development between China and Africa.
Mar 06 – China’s national legislature starts annual session
Mar 06 – China’s top political advisory body starts annual session
Feb 19 – Spring Festival Finale – The 2026 Spring Festival Gala hosted and aired by the China Media Group (CMG) delivered a more than four-hour-long feast of captivating cultural performances and entertaining variety acts to audiences tuning in from all around the world as people celebrated the arrival of the Chinese New Year.
Feb 18 – Spring Robotic Dance – Advanced AI-embodied robots were among the most eye-catching and spectacular performers during China’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday evening, dazzling audiences with their innovative stage presence and impressive physical abilities.
Feb 17 – Spring festival – Rain Dance – An enchanting dancing performance themed on ‘spring rain’ brought a pleasant atmosphere to the China Media Group (CMG)’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday evening, with a captivating melodic track and graceful choreography extending wishes for vitality during the Chinese New Year.
Feb 06 – Spring Festival – Lantern shows light up Xiamen, a coastal city in east China’s Fujian Province, kicking off celebrations for the upcoming Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on February 17 this year.
In the Xiamen Horticulture Expo Garden, the lantern show features nine themes, including Celebrating the Spring Festival and traditional Chinese mythological stories, with 31 lantern groups that create an immersive feast of lights for citizens and tourists.
Feb 06 -Spring festival – Shanghai, Guangzhou light up for upcoming Spring festival.
Feb 05 – Spring Festival – A Chinese Celebration Shared with the World – Communities across China light up lanterns and prepare special treats and presents to pass on to friends and family as they celebrate the Year of the Horse and the Lunar New Year.
Feb 04 – Gallop Forward Exhibition in honour of the Year of the Horse – The National Museum of China has unveiled a special exhibition in honor of the symbol of the upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese agricultural calendar. The festive exposition is called “Gallop Forward”. My colleagues will tell you more. 120 valuable artifacts of the new exhibition of the main museum of the Chinese capital are somehow related to horses. In the Asian tradition, the horse symbolizes strength, speed, spirit, self-improvement and hard work – that is, everything that is close to every Chinese.
Feb 04 – The Year of the Red Fire Horse – The first day of the Red Horse year is not the Chinese New Year Day in Chinese Astrology. The first day of the Tiger month is the first day of the Chinese Astrology year. This day is called teh Start of Spring, which is the date when the sun enters the 315th degree on the tropical zodiac. This day is around February 4, each year.
2026 Chinese Red Horse starts on February 4, 2026 in China’s time zone. The name of 2026 is the Yang Fire Horse. Red is connected to Fire. Therefore, 2026 is also called Red Fire Horse Year. That means the Chinese Lunar New Year is not the first day of Red Fire Horse Year. But the Day of the Red Horse does herald in the beginning of preperations for the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
Dec 05 – Third Global South Think Tanks Dialogue Calls for Tighter Cooperation with New Vision – The Third Global South Think Tanks Dialogue has opened in Shanghai. Delegates are underscoring the Global South’s growing influence in reshaping global governance.
Dec 05 – Xi holds welcome ceremony for Macron – Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing.
Dec 04 – Global South Think Tank – The Global South Think Tank meet in Shanghai as delegates explore Chinese modernization.
Dec 03 – Senegal-Cultural Festival – Senegal hosts first West African Arts and Culture Festival
Dec 02 – SA Agrivoltaic Farms Take Root – The use of agrivoltaics is gaining momentum as farmers turn to sustainable and energy-independent solutions.
Nov 30 – South Africa’s green future is taking shape. Renewable energy company Seriti Green, a subsidiary of coal miner Seriti, has built one of the country’s largest renewable projects.
Nov 29 – SA Cyber Attack prevention. Africa’s digital future will depend not only on how fast it grows, but on how well it is protected. A new report shows that the continent’s rapid digital expansion is driving a sharp increase in cyber attacks.
Nov 29 – SA AI Health Chatbot. As South Africa continues to battle the world’s highest HIV infection rates, a new digital companion called Self-Cav is stepping in, to support through artificial intelligence, all in the privacy of Whatsapp.
Nov 28 – SA Clean Energy – Global Citizen NOW is hosting its first-ever action summit in Africa. It aims to boost funding for green energy and expand electricity access to nearly half the continent.
Nov 25 – China, South Africa launch joint initiative to support Africa’s modernization
Nov 25 – SA-China Trade – Agriculture – South African farmers are hoping to capitalise on a move by China to import more agricultural products from the African powerhouse.
Nov 25 – SA-China Trade – Avocados have become a prized crop in Africa as efforts to boost trade between China and Africa increase.
G20 Update
Nov 25 – G20 Chinese Premier urges strive for Global Cooperation
Chinese premier urges G20 to strive for broader global cooperation for development.
Nov 24 – Chinese Premier urges G20 leaders to uphold free trade, build open world economy.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday urged the G20 economies to stay committed to solidarity, firmly uphold free trade and build an open world economy in the face of a sluggish global economic recovery.
Nov 23 – G20 HANDOVER
South Africa to hand over G20 Presidency to US Amid Differences
Nov 23 – G20 – SIDEBARS – South-South Trade
G20 Chair South Africa is demanding urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation, as the Global South forges ahead on its own path.
South–South trade is surging, reshaping global growth and strengthening alliances across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania.
Nov 21 -GREEN INDUSTRIALISATION
As the world grapples with pursuing economic growth while reducing climate change, governments are now moving towards sustainable policy and green industrialisation. CGTN’s Sumitra Nydoo witnessed South Africa’s G20 sustainable industrial policy report launch and filed the following report.
Nov 21 – G20 SA CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is expected to feature prominently at the G20 Summit this weekend. The meeting’s host South Africa, and many other developing nations, remain vulnerable to climate change-related challenges linked to extreme weather patterns such as drought, floods and high temperatures. These countries are increasingly adopting a pragmatic approach to environmental protection, seeking to balance economic growth and sustainability. CGTN’s Yolisa Njamela has more from Johannesburg.
Nov 21 – G20 from South Africans Perspective
While world leaders debate trade, climate and global security behind closed doors at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this weekend, many South Africans will be watching events there keenly. For some, the key international meeting will be a moment of national pride… but for others it will just be one more high-profile meeting hosted by their country that might never have an impact on their daily lives. CGTN’s Yolisa Njamela reports on how South Africans view the upcoming summit.
Nov 21 – G20 SOCIAL SUMMIT
As G20 leaders prepare to convene in South Africa under the banner of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” a growing chorus outside the official sessions is calling for these words to translate into real change. The ongoing Social Summit brings together grassroots networks, youth movements, women’s organisations, people with disabilities and faith-based groups. They are demanding inclusive policies that put people before profit, especially in developing countries. CGTN’s Julie Scheier reports.
Nov 20 – SA LEADERS ON TRUMP G20 Absence.
South African government officials have expressed disappointment at US President Donald Trump’s decision to snub the G20. DA Leader and MP John Steenhuisen expresses his views on the USA’s decision not to attend.
Nov 20 – G20 Xu Feibiao discusses the three main expectations from the G20 summit: multilateral: Approach, Recovery, Africa’s Future.
Xu Feibiao, Director of the BRICS and G20 Studies Center at the China Academy of Contemporary International Relations, told us his three main expectations from the G20 summit in an exclusive interview.
Feibiao remarked, “As this year’s G20 summit takes place against the backdrop of the UN’s 80th anniversary, it is important that the G20 reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism – in trade, the financial system and global governance. The world needs a strong and effective international institution. The summit is expected to propose concrete ways to address the problems of economic slowdown, the risks of stagflation (slowing economic growth, high unemployment, and inflation) and the plight of developing countries. New initiatives are needed to avoid a “lost decade”. And one more point. Holding the summit in Africa is a chance to show the continent’s role in world politics. The success of the meeting can give impetus to Africa’s development and sustainable global growth”.
Nov 20 – G20 DEBT REFORMS
Carlos Lopes is a member of the Africa Expert Panel, which South Africa put together for their 12-month presidency and an Honorary professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town points out that the measures proposed by G20 Finance Ministers simply do not go far enough to provide the debt reform countries really need.
Report by INTV/CGTN
Nov 19 – South Africa Braces for G20 Summit – Johannesburg’s Nesrec Convention Centre awaits the arrival of international Presidential leaders for the most important meeting of the G20.
Nov 18 – Civil Society deliver global call for Justice ahead of G20 Summit – As the world prepares for Africa’s first G20 summit, civil society is making its voice heard. From unemployment to inequality, campaigners want global leaders to put people — not politics — at the centre of decision-making.
Nov 17 – SA GLOBAL SCIENCE LEADER SUMMIT – South Africa has cemented its role as a global science leader as it hosted another G20 meeting in Pretoria. Under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” member nations signed a declaration to channel their expertise toward the greater good of humanity.
Nov 12 – DURBAN AND CHINA CEMENT GROWING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba met with local Chinese businesses as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with Chinese investors in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in Durban.
Held under the theme “Creating a conducive environment for business growth through a robust transport and logistics sector,” the session aimed to build on existing relations, identify new investment opportunities, and develop tangible solutions to challenges that may hinder progress.
Mayor Xaba said the Municipality has in recent months hosted several delegations from cities across the People’s Republic of China, all seeking to deepen economic relations with eThekwini.
“Last month, I had the privilege of leading a delegation to various cities in China to position Durban as an indispensable strategic partner for Chinese businesses in South Africa. Beyond being a port city, Durban serves as an economic gateway linking Asia, Africa, and the Global South. Our strong and multi-layered relationships with key Chinese cities provide a unique framework for partnership across logistics, manufacturing, digital trade, and green technology.”
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Durban, Li Zhigong, described Durban as “a city of energy and opportunity.” He said Chinese-invested companies have been an active force in South Africa’s development, contributing to local employment, infrastructure improvement, and community welfare.
“China remains committed to opening its market and sharing developmental opportunities with Africa. The new zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic ties to China reflects this determination. It will help South African goods enter the Chinese market more easily, create new trade channels, and deepen our industrial cooperation,” he said.
This report is brought to you by Invest Durban
Nov 05 – South Africa builds AI innovation – South Africa has taken a major step in the race to build artificial intelligence capacity on the continent. A new “AI factory” —the first of its kind in the country–aims to support local innovation and digital sovereignty. CGTN’s Julie Scheier has the story.
Oct 28 – South Africa Steel Industry buckles under pressure – Trade pressure worldwide puts a cap on major steel works despite the needs for steel across major developing industries in SA.
Oct 27 – South Africa works to turn Gauteng port into trade hub – A trade hub at the Jhb end of the N3 promises smoother transition for rail and road freight.
Oct 10 – All the World’s a Stage – The Truth of Life On Stage – Brics+ Students Internship – Instead of a stage – a mansion of the XVIII century. The action of the play “The Storm” by the Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky unfolded over several floors. The text is simultaneously in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic – but understandable to the viewer. After all, everyone is not an observer, but a full-fledged participant in the events.
Oct 01 – PKG/African Fabric Night in Mali – Designers showcased traditional fabrics with a modern twist at African Textile Night in the Malian capital of Bamako. From Bogolan in Mali, to Kente in Togo, and Faso Dan Fani in Burkina Faso. the event highlighted fabrics deeply rooted in history but also featured modern design innovations.
Bringing together designers, models, and textile promoters from across the continent, the event not only celebrated culture, but also underscored the growing economic importance of African fabrics in global fashion.
CGTN’s Ian KInyua has this report.
