Expelled South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool said on Sunday that he returned home with "no regrets".
Rasool and his wife Rosieda Shabodien received a hero's welcome by hundreds of supporters after emerging in the arrivals terminal of Cape Town International Airport.
"Rosieda and I have just traveled about 32 hours from the United States via Doha to Cape Town. It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets," he told the welcoming crowd.
Earlier this month, Rasool, 62, was declared "persona non grata" by the U.S. after Secretary of State Marco Rubio called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America". It followed earlier remarks the ambassador had made during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a South African think tank, in which he criticized President Donald Trump.
Addressing around 300 supporters at the airport, Rasool stated that while being labeled a "persona non grata" was meant to humiliate him, the warm reception turned it into a badge of honor.
He said that the United States took action to expel him in attempt to undermine South Africa's resolve to pursue an independent foreign policy, but South Africa will not change its stance under external pressure, and will continue to uphold independence and firm principles in international affairs.
Rasool said that South Africa has to rebuild and mend its relationship with the United States, as the foundation of relations between the two countries lies in their people, not merely in government-to-government exchanges.
Expelled South African ambassador to US returns home with 'no regrets'
Movie fans stepped into the shooting locations of racing-comedy film "Pegasus 3" to explore the industrial site that served as the racetrack in the film during a public open day event on Saturday in Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province.
"Pegasus 3" is the third installment in Director Han Han's racing-comedy franchise starring Shen Teng, one of China's most bankable comedic actors. As of Monday, it has surpassed a box office of over 41 billion yuan (around 596 million U.S. dollars), according to ticketing tracker Maoyan.
A refining plant belonging to Sinopec Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Company, a key filming location for "Pegasus 3," saw its unique industrial landscape transformed into a futuristic cyberpunk-style racetrack in the film.
On the open day event at the plant, many fans located the starting point of the "Muchen 100 Rally" qualifying track from the movie while gathering near the entrance. Refining towers, pipe corridors and lighting perfectly matched the shots seen in the film.
"I'm so happy to visit the plant after seeing 'Pegasus 3.' Seeing these buildings and lights in person makes me feel very proud," said Zheng Sijun, a movie fan.
Many industrial facilities, roads and embankment greenways in the plant area appeared in the film's racetrack scenes. These real industrial settings became a vital part of the movie's visual effects.
Fans also entered the central control room of the refinery to get a close-up look at operations.
"When watching the movie, we only saw a general view of the plant on screen. But coming to the site, you realize this is a truly huge, vast and awe-inspiring industrial complex," said Wang Ziyi, another movie fan.
The event's success indicates that the public's passion for film can be translated into educational initiatives, boosting awareness of China's advancements in productive forces among everyday people in the country.
Popular racing film spurs visits to shooting location in east China's Ningbo city
