Cape Town – Police Minister Bheki Cele has been honoured by China with the Great Wall Commemorative Medal for the South African Police Service’s contributions to law enforcement cooperation between the two nations.
The medal, established by China’s ministry of public security in 2020,s foreign law enforcement officers who have significantly contributed to the safety of Chinese citizens.
During the medal awarding ceremony hosted in the Chinese city of Lianyungang, China’s public security minister, Wang Xiaohong, highlighted his appreciation for the South African Police Service’s ability to safeguard the BRICS Summit, including the State visit of Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping, in August 2023.
“It is the fourth time that His Excellency President Mr Xi Jinping visited South Africa and each time, he and his delegation enjoy a very high standard of security. This includes his most recent state visit and during his attendance at the 15th BRICS Summit hosted in Johannesburg last month. We are very appreciative of the work of the police under your leadership Minister Cele and the continued policing interventions and other law enforcement co-operations.”
#PoliceMinistry The People’s Republic of China has awarded Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele a Great Wall Commemorative Medal for the South African Police Service’s contribution to the broader law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. MLhttps://t.co/CzDKKrepgx pic.twitter.com/edrQzFdKJy
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 22, 2023
Accepting the medal, Minister Cele praised the strong relationship between South Africa and China, which remains the cornerstone of the growing collaborative work between the two countries.
“The establishment of a formal and rigorous policing exchange program of personnel capabilities and training between the two countries will further bolster the work of the SAPS through improved technological advancements, investigative and forensic capacity of the police service. It is without a doubt that such partnerships will and must urgently translate to improved policing service which results in enhanced safety and security for South Africans and all those who call South Africa home,” Cele said.
He also attended the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, discussing cooperation in public security with delegates from over 50 countries.
Additionally, Cele met with Interpol’s president to emphasise the importance of African countries using Interpol’s resources and new technologies to combat transnational crimes.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
