Luo Shugang (L2), China’s minister of culture, Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa (R2), South African Minister of Arts and Culture, and Jerry Matjila (R1), Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation were present at the ceremony to mark the launch of the "Year of China" in South Africa, 2015.[Photo/people.cn]

Year of China in South Africa

The Year of China was launched at the State Theatre in Pretoria, capital of South Africa, on March 15. Luo Shugang, China’s minister of culture, and Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa, South African minister of Arts and Culture exchanged messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma on promoting friendship and cooperation through further cultural exchanges.

As the first Chinese year in South Africa, the project covers a wide variety of fields, including culture, art, literature, publication, film, TV, sports and heritage. The format of the event is diverse. Apart from art performances, academic seminars and training programs, other activities were also held.

Culture, as the most active element, fully shows its particular diplomatic significance in this event, deepening South American's understanding of China, promoting comprehensively mutual communication and cooperation between China and South Africa as well as opening up new areas of China-South Africa cultural communication and promoting the construction of sustainable cultural communication between China and South Africa.