The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa held a memorial service in Beijing to commemorate Nelson Mandela, the country's former president and anti-apartheid hero.
Dr Bheki Langa, South Africa's ambassador to China, shared his thoughts on the current state of China-South Arica relations and his feelings about China's two sessions.
1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape
1943 - Joined African National Congress
1956 - Charged with high treason, but charges dropped
1962 - Arrested, convicted of sabotage, sentenced to five years in prison
1964 - Charged again, sentenced to life
1990 - Freed from prison
1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize
1994 - Elected first black president
1999 - Steps down as leader
2001 - Diagnosed with prostate cancer
2004 - Retires from public life
2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness
2007 - Forms The Elders group
2010 - Appears at closing ceremony of World Cup
2013 - Died after lung infection