Pretoria - South African culture was taken to China as part of a two-year exchange programme, spokeswoman of the Chinese embassy in South Africa said on Wednesday.
“This year, South Africa will hold over 50 activities in China. Such as cultural promotions, art exchanges, business fairs, academic seminars and educational exchanges,” Wei Xin told reporters in Pretoria.
“This is indeed a pioneering undertaking in China-South Africa and China-Africa relations.”
The opening of “the Year of South Africa in China” was held on April 29 in Beijing and was attended by over 1500 people.
She said artists from both countries gave “splendid performances”.
This formed part of an agreement between President Jacob Zuma and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping in March 2013.
Xin said in 2015, the Year of China in South Africa would be held across the country with colourful promotions and activities to show South Africans ancient and modern China.
Among the highlights in China later this year would be the screening of the film on the life of former president Nelson Mandela, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”, Xin said.
“These activities will deepen the understanding of the Chinese people about South Africa and vigorously promote the co-operation between China and South Africa in all fields.”
In the room at the embassy where the press briefing was held were photographs from the opening in Beijing. They showed South African traditional dancers on stage with Chinese traditional dancers.
Sapa