Year of China kicks off in South Africa with fanfare

South Africa officially kicked off the Year of China on Sunday, with a grand ceremony in Pretoria.

Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang and South African Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa took part in the opening ceremony, accompanied by a grand concert in the Pretoria State Theatre.

Presidents of both China and South Africa exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the occasion.

Held in major cities in the nine provinces across South Africa, the events will showcase China's development journey and its achievements as well as the fruitful results of China-South Africa cooperation.