During Xi's state visit to South Africa in 2013, the two state leaders agreed to designate 2014 as the Year of South Africa in China and 2015 as the Year of China in South Africa.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the event, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao said this will be a major cultural event for China and South Africa, and would enrich the content of the bilateral all-round strategic partnership.

He believes the Year of South Africa in China will demonstrate a confident and diversified South Africa to the Chinese people and also reveal the friendship and close cooperation between the two nations.

Artists from South Africa performed at the opening ceremony of the Year of South Africa in China, on April 29, 2014.

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