Year of China in South Africa set to kick off

Journalists attend a press briefing at Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, on March 10, 2015. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

A press briefing on the Year of China in South Africa was held at Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, on March 10, 2015.

According to China’s Embassy in South Africa, more than 200 activities showcasing China's culture and traditions will be held in nine provinces and major cities of South Africa during the year-long program, which will be officially launched on March 15, covering culture, economy and trade, sports and environmental protection.

The logo the Year of China in South Africa, co-designed by China and South Africa, was released during the press briefing. In the shape of a Chinese lantern, it uses the main colors of national flags of the two countries, and it also looks like an antelope, which symbolizes the year 2015 in China, and also the national animal of South Africa.