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]

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.

At the ceremony, artists from China and South Africa staged symphony concerts to mark the opening of the 2015 "Year of China" in South Africa. Over 1,300 guests including senior officials of the South African government, foreign diplomats, overseas Chinese and international students studying in South Africa were invited to witness the remarkable moment in the diplomatic history of the two countries.

President Xi said in his congratulatory message that the "Year of China" to be held in South Africa expresses China’s wishes to promote mutual understanding and marks a new era for the people-to-people ties between the two countries. "The ‘country year’ bears great significance in boosting bilateral ties, and South Africa will fully support the ‘Year of China’ in South Africa in 2015," President Zuma said.

A series of wonderful activities and performances will be staged in South Africa's nine provinces and major cities during the 2015 "Year of China", featuring the development of China’s economy, education and technology as well as the cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries.