From December 10 to 14, Mayor Gary van Niekerk led a delegation from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Government to visit our city.

Li Weishu, Vice Mayor of Changchun met with Mayor Gary van Niekerk and his delegation on the evening of December 11. Both sides agreed that as cities of industry, automobile, and university, the two cities share common industrial interests with enormous potential for future cooperation in automobile and auto component industries, import-export trade, cultural exchanges, etc. Gary van Niekerk, on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Government, extended a formal invitation to the Changchun delegation to visit the city. He hoped that mutual visits would further enhance understanding, deepen friendship, and promote the establishment of friendly cooperation relations.

During their stay in Changchun, the delegation visited the Changchun Planning Exhibition Hall, Changchun World Sculpture Park, FAW Hongqi Culture Exhibition Hall, FAW Jiefang Factory, Jilin Province Library, Changchun Agricultural Expo Park, Jingyuetan National Forest Park, Changchun International Ceramics Gallery, Changchun New World of Ice and Snow, Former Site Museum of CFS, The Hill Commercial Complex, and other places, where they gained a detailed understanding of the city's history, development plans, economic situation, development strategies, and cultural traditions, and expressed positive recognition for Changchun's comprehensive revitalization and development.

In addition, the delegation held discussions with Changchun Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, Changchun Municipal Commerce Bureau, Jingyue District Management Committee, Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee, Lianhuashan District Management Committee, FAW Group Import and Export Co., Ltd., FAW SA, and CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. They reached a preliminary intention on cooperation in Changchun's enterprises participating in exhibitions and settling in the Coega Special Economic Zone in South Africa, the construction of the FAW SA factory, reciprocity of tourism resources, invitations for Agricultural Expo exhibitors, vehicle and rail transit projects, cultural exchanges related to books and museums, etc.

Nelson Mandela Bay is the fifth-largest city in South Africa. Serving as a major seaport city and automobile manufacturing center, it is honored as "Detroit of South Africa" with strong strength in textile, electronics, machinery, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, food, wool, mohair, and other industries.