Durban, South Africa

The beach of Durban, South Africa. [Photo/WeChat ID: XIAMENFAO]

Durban is the third largest city in South Africa and the main city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban Port is the busiest port in Southern Africa. In September 2023, Xiamen and Durban became sister cities, making Durban Xiamen's first international sister city in Africa.

Durban was founded in 1854, covers an area of 2,555 square kilometers, has a population of 3.9 million, and is known as the "Best Managed City in Africa". It hosts international conferences and important events in Africa, including the 5th BRICS Summit in 2013 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The African Union was established at the African Union Summit held in Durban in July 2002.

Durban's main industries include manufacturing, chemicals, plastics production, textiles, real estate, tourism, and port-related activities. The Dube Trade Port, located next to the King Shaka International Airport, is a national-level economic zone. The city prioritizes the development of the automotive, logistics, agricultural processing, and life science sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, and healthcare.

Durban's main universities include the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban University of Technology. In 2013, a Confucius Institute was jointly established by Durban University of Technology and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University.

Durban is a major tourism destination and renowned surfing hub in South Africa. Major attractions include the Golden Mile beachfront, Addington Beach, uShaka Marine World, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.