On April 27, 2014, President Xi Jinping and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa exchanged letters of congratulation on the launch of the China Year in South Africa and the South Africa Year in China
Xi Jinping said in his letter, China and South Africa will hold country year celebrations in each other’s country in 2014 and 2015 respectively. These are big events in people-to-people and cultural field between both countries and are significant for the bilateral friendly exchanges, and will certainly enhance the understanding and friendship between the two peoples and enrich the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to take this as an opportunity to join efforts with South Africa pushing forward the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels. Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Chinese government and the people, extended his warm congratulations to President Zuma, the South African government and the people on the 20th anniversary of the founding of the new South Africa.
Zuma said in his letter that South Africa-China relations have achieved leapfrog development in recent years. Both sides should promote the bilateral people-to-people exchanges to a higher level. The year of 2014 is the South Africa Year in China and also the 20th anniversary of the victory of the democratic revolution which ended apartheid in South Africa. The South African government and the people hope to celebrate these two grand events together with the Chinese government and the people, and are looking forward to the celebration of the China Year in South Africa in 2015.