作者：邓公公 来源：原创 发布日期：08-22
A | Editor's Note:
In an era of profound global shifts and increasingly complex regional dynamics, a proper understanding of the world must be rooted in "grounded experience" and localized insights. Global Times English edition, in collaboration with the Academy of International and Regional Communication Studies, Communication University of China, is proud to launch "Local Insights," an English-language column dedicated to original, field-based observations.
We invite Chinese scholars and professionals who are studying, conducting exchanges, or working outside China, as well as international students and friends living and studying in China who are familiar with the social contexts of their home countries or third countries, to begin from first-hand field experience and engage with social, cultural, and contemporary issues beyond China. In the fifth article of this column, drawing on her on‑the‑ground experience as a Chinese exchange scholar, the author observes a South Africa Freedom Day memorial gathering, revealing how local politics unfolds through collective singing, dancing, and grassroots participation, while also reflecting on the gap between political liberation and economic justice.
As a PhD student, I am currently on an exchange program at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, with support from the China Scholarship Council. Since arriving here, I have developed a habit of stepping beyond campus whenever possible. Community meetings, municipal events and public gatherings have become a vital way for me to engage with local life. This time, a local friend recommended that I attend a memorial event in Kariega, organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in honor of its former president, Phumzile John Gomomo. Beyond that, I had little sense of what kind of gathering I was about to enter.
It was on the way that I noticed the streets were unusually vibrant. Groups of people were dressed in colorful attire, with bright Xhosa headscarves and garments bearing political symbols. My friend then reminded me that it was April 27, which is Freedom Day in South Africa. On this day in 1994, South Africa held its first non-racial election, formally ending apartheid and inaugurating democratic rule. Over the past three decades, Freedom Day commemorates political liberation, while also inviting recurring reflection on whether the promise of freedom has been fully realized. In that sense, Freedom Day marks an important moment for observing contemporary South African politics and social sentiment.
From street to hall: Entering Freedom Day
The event was scheduled to begin at 10 am, and we arrived shortly before the hour. Yet there were not many people present. Banners of COSATU, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the African National Congress (ANC) had already been displayed inside the hall, quietly framing the political context of the gathering. Although my understanding was still limited, I could already sense that their presence mattered. COSATU, SACP and ANC represent key forces in South Africa's political landscape, historically linked through the "Tripartite Alliance" formed during the anti-apartheid struggle and sustained in various forms since 1994. I could see that this was not simply a local gathering, but one embedded within a much longer political tradition.
What struck me first was how different the atmosphere was from what I had expected of a political gathering. There was no sense of urgency or visible tension. My friend introduced me around, and we greeted each other through handshakes, embraces and brief conversations, with a familiarity that suggested long-standing connections. Someone also greeted me with "ni hao." The early autumn wind carried a chill that felt almost like winter. However, the mood was unmistakably different. A sense of warmth emerged from the way people related to one another.
We took our seats in the front row. As I looked around, the hall was gradually filling up. I noticed that people wore headscarves, skirts and short-sleeved shirts layered under heavier coats, with ANC insignia visible in various forms. Every time I made eye contact with someone, they would respond with a warm smile. Even as the only foreign face in the hall, I felt no sense of awkwardness or exclusion.
When music preceded speech
The atmosphere felt far more open than I had imagined. There was no formal signal from a host. Yet, almost imperceptibly, singing and dancing began to fill the space. At first, it was only a few voices. Then others joined. A group of older women stood up, stepping lightly as their bodies moved with the rhythm. Their arms tracing steady patterns in the air, moved with an ease that suggested a deep sense of rhythm. Around them, others began to join in. Someone clapped, someone responded in song, while others stepped forward into the center, aligning themselves with the unfolding rhythm.
Before I fully understood what was happening, someone gently pulled me into the group. I followed, trying to imitate the movements. It didn't take long for me to realize that participation did not depend on learning the steps. Once inside, you were already part of it.
Meanwhile, a more distinct call began to emerge, repeated at intervals: "Amandla" (Power) "Awethu" (To the People). The words rose above the singing and then dissolved back into it. Song, chant and movement overlapped, making it difficult to distinguish where one ended and another began. At that moment, I found myself wondering: was this a political gathering, or a celebration?
It was not until around midday that the event formally began. Speakers gradually took their places, and the hall shifted into a more structured atmosphere. What I did not expect, however, was that the mayor I had followed on social media was among those arriving. Seeing her there came as a surprise. I didn't expect to see local officials there, let alone find myself within what was clearly part of their political life.
The memorial lecture brought together members of the ANC, alliance partners and the broader community in a moment of reflection and renewed commitment. The gathering honored the enduring legacy of Phumzile John Gomomo and his immense contribution to the struggle for workers' rights and social justice.
They reflected on Cde John Gomomo as one of the most dedicated worker leaders produced by the Congress Movement, emphasizing unity, organization and ongoing activism as essential to advancing the goals of the democratic movement. Gomomo was an icon in the labor movement. He devoted his entire life to serving workers and is remembered as a hero of the struggle for freedom, democracy and workers' rights. His contributions were situated within the broader historical moment of South Africa's transition to democracy - a transition whose achievements are commemorated each year on Freedom Day, marking the political liberation attained in 1994.
The lecture also raised a question that resonated widely: when political freedom was achieved, did it also translate into economic freedom? Gomomo's legacy was not only invoked as history, but also a lens through which to examine the present.
Speakers highlighted the ongoing challenges facing workers today, including high unemployment and the rising cost of living, which continue to strain working-class households. Against this backdrop, unity, organization and sustained activism were presented not as symbolic gestures, but as necessary responses.
The themes of the lecture aligned closely with the spirit of International Workers' Day, linking past struggles with present realities and ongoing demands. In this sense, the lecture stood not only as a tribute, but also as a call to action, urging those in attendance to carry forward the values, discipline and commitment that defined his life of service.
After each speaker delivered their speech, people rose from their seats, singing and clapping. The officials on stage joined in as well, blurring the distinction between speaker and audience. The atmosphere remained lively, with an almost continuous sense of energy. Gradually, I began to realize that the event was not simply a commemorative one, but rather a form of political practice.
What stood out to me was that the mayor mentioned China in her speech. She spoke of the strong relationship between China and South Africa, noting the presence of Chinese automotive companies in Nelson Mandela Bay and expressing hope for further cooperation. After her speech, I was invited to take a photo with her. She shook my hand, welcomed me as an international student in South Africa, and expressed her positive view of China.
I also had a brief exchange with Xolile Nqatha, the provincial secretary of the SACP in Eastern Cape. Reflecting on the history of leftist movements in South Africa, he noted that both the SACP and the Communist Party of China were founded in 1921. He also remarked that it remains rare to see Chinese scholars present at such gatherings. I had not imagined that I would be speaking with government officials, which initially caught me off guard. For me, this brief encounter made China's presence in South Africa feel less like a matter of diplomatic language and more like something embedded in local political life.
The event continued until around 3 pm. As I stepped outside, the surrounding streets were noticeably more crowded. The parking area was nearly full. Roadside vendors were selling clothing marked with political symbols, and media crews remained on site, documenting the scene. People left gradually. Many paused to exchange farewells, embracing one another before leaving, as if the rhythm of the gathering had not yet fully ended.
The experience reshaped my understanding of what a political gathering could be. In a global context where political expression is increasingly fragmented, a mode of public engagement built around rhythm and participation offers a different way of understanding political life. Here, politics did not take shape solely through institutions, procedures or formal speech. It could be serious, yet also warm. It could be articulated through language, but it could just as readily take shape through song, movement and collective response.
This year also marks the 32nd anniversary of the end of apartheid. It represents the restoration of dignity, equality before the law and the collective promise that South Africa would never again be a society governed by exclusion, injustice or oppression. In the community, I saw how residents engaged with the local government, participated in decision-making processes and worked collectively to build safer, more inclusive neighborhoods. For me, the gathering became an entry point into contemporary political life in South Africa, revealing something that cannot be fully grasped from a distance.
The author is a PhD student in African Area Studies at the College of Foreign Languages, Zhejiang Normal University
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B | 近期，中东地缘局势持续紧张，航运通道存在扰动风险，直接影响到了全球化工品的供应链，不少化工品价格同步走高，化工板块也逐渐成为市场新焦点。
C | Wind数据显示，7月20日以来中证细分化工产业主题指数累计上涨10.50%，超越同期上证指数（6.01%）、沪深300（4.34%）的表现。（数据来源：Wind，截至2026.8.18。下同） 化工板块行情回暖的背后，多重中期配置逻辑正在积累。一方面，行业供需格局改善信号逐步显现，景气度有望持续修复；另一方面，板块经历前期调整，估值已回落至合理偏低区间。在此背景下，景顺长城中证细分化工产业主题ETF（场内简称：化工ETF景顺，基金代码：158032）正式发行，为投资者提供一键布局细分化工龙头的便捷工具。 价格先行：一条从3930到5515的曲线 事实上，化工行业作为经济的“骨架”——从手机屏幕到汽车涂料，从化肥农药到锂电池材料，它无处不在，却鲜少成为市场焦点。过去三年，这个行业更是被市场 “用脚投票”：产能过剩、价格低迷、利润承压，板块在底部反复摩擦。但2026年以来，数据开始讲述一个不同的故事。 中国化工产品价格指数（CCPI）是观察行业景气最直观的窗口。Wind数据显示，2026年1月4日，CCPI报3930点，处于近年低位。此后，随着WTI原油从年初约57美元/桶一路攀升至8月18日的85美元/桶（布伦特原油同期站上90美元上方），成本端推动叠加供需改善，CCPI一路走高，年内最高触及5515点。截至8月18日，CCPI报4879点，较年初上涨约24%。 价格回升的传导效应已在二级市场显现。Wind数据显示，长江基础化工指数近一年累计上涨23.11%，其中中证细分化工产业主题指数近一年涨幅更达27.82%。 供给重塑：供给侧的三重推力 价格回暖只是表象，更深层的变化发生在供给端——这是本轮化工周期区别于以往的关键。 第一重推力来自产能周期的自然出清。Wind数据显示，化工行业资本开支增速近两年显著回落，在建工程同比增速转负，标志着本轮扩产周期已进入尾声。新增供给的边际放缓，为价格修复提供了基础条件。 第二重推力来自政策端的系统性约束。“反内卷”被写入“十五五”规划，多个化工子行业通过协会倡议、联合减产等方式主动约束供给；“碳排放双控”体系于2026年正式落地——4月，中办、国办印发《碳达峰碳中和综合评价考核办法》，化工、石化行业被纳入全国碳市场扩围名单。工信部等七部门印发的《加力推进石化化工行业老旧装置更新改造行动方案（2026—2029年）》则从存量改造维度推动落后产能退出。多方政策合力之下，行业从“拼规模”转向“拼质量”的路径或已不可逆。
D | 第三重推力来自海外竞争格局的此消彼长。
E | 据东兴证券研报统计，2022-2025年，欧洲化工厂关停数量增长6倍，累计退出产能约3700万吨，同期新投资规模从270万吨降至30万吨。高能源成本正加速欧洲化工产能的萎缩，中国化工龙头的全球份额持续扩大。 需求端同样出现了新旧动能的切换。传统地产链需求依然疲弱，但汽车、家电、纺服等中下游保持平稳，而真正值得关注的是增量部分：AI算力扩张带动电子氟化工、高纯电子化学品等新材料需求放量；碳纤维在风电叶片与商业航天领域加速渗透。
F | 在出口端，海关总署数据显示，2026年1-5月，我国化学工业及其相关产品累计出口约962亿美元，累计同比增长20.3%，5月当月同比增速更高达29.1%——在全球地缘冲突频发的背景下，中国化工供应链的稳定性正转化为实实在在的全球竞争力。 估值等待：市场尚未定价的改善 Wind数据显示，截至2026年8月18日，中证细分化工产业主题指数的动态市盈率（PE-TTM）为21.20倍，市净率为2.59倍，处于历史中枢附近，并未出现明显高估。而行业基本面已较一年前发生结构性改善：2025年第四季度起，化工板块盈利触底回升，2026年一季度营收与净利润同比继续改善。多家券商在2026年中期策略中判断，随着供给端产能扩张接近尾声，需求端整体复苏，市场交易逻辑正由前期的“估值修复”切换至“业绩兑现”。这种“利润向上、估值不高”的错配，构成了当前化工板块配置价值的核心逻辑之一。 在此背景下，正在发行的化工ETF景顺（代码：158032）值得关注。这只ETF将紧密跟踪中证细分化工产业主题指数，该指数当前成份股50只，申万二级行业分布中，农化制品占比27.39%、化学制品24.74%、化学原料12.90%、炼化及贸易11.93%、电池9.54%、塑料7.09%、化学纤维3.24%、航空装备Ⅱ1.08%，覆盖了上游资源到下游新材料的化工产业链。前十大成份股权重合计43.44%，在龙头代表性与组合分散性之间取得较好的平衡。（数据来源：Wind ，截至 2026/8/18） 据了解，当前市场上有多只化工相关指数，特征各有差异：中证石化产业指数风格更偏向上游资源属性；中证全指化工指数成分股覆盖面更广，中小市值标的占比更高。相较而言，中证细分化工产业主题指数赛道纯度更高，同时适度纳入石油石化、电力设备、军工新材料等方向标的，既锚定化工产业基本盘，也能捕捉产业升级带来的成长弹性。当然，周期从不会是一条笔直的上扬线。CCPI在年内触及5515点后回落至4834点，提示着价格修复并非一蹴而就；原油成本端的波动也会持续扰动化工中游的利润分配。但对于关注化工板块周期修复机会的投资者，可通过化工ETF景顺（158032）这类指数化产品，一键布局化工全产业链细分龙头。 还值得一提的是，化工ETF景顺（158032）的发行，也意味着景顺长城在周期及资源品ETF领域的布局进一步完善。近年来，公司围绕相关方向持续落子，已形成覆盖石油天然气（石油ETF景顺）、有色金属（有色ETF景顺）、电力（电力ETF景顺）、粮食与农牧渔（粮食ETF景顺、农牧渔ETF景顺）等多只产品在内的周期品类矩阵。此次化工ETF景顺的发行，使景顺长城的周期品类ETF矩阵进一步完善，从上游的石油天然气、有色金属，到中游的化工、电力，再到下游的农牧渔，基本覆盖了周期产业链的核心环节。这不仅为投资者提供了更丰富的周期板块配置工具，也体现了公司在细分赛道指数产品布局上的持续深耕。责任编辑：郭栩彤。
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