Mandela spirit recalled as the nation honors its close friend

As worldwide celebrations were launched recently to honor the first Nelson Mandela International Day without the former South African president, China and South African moved closer together by jointly celebrating his legacy.

"In line with the spirit of Nelson Mandela, we hope the event is going to touch the heart of many people and mobilize goodwill to help the unfortunate ones," South African ambassador to China said.

Bheki Langa made the remarks on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Charity Ball 2014 in Beijing to mark the UN-designated Mandela Day, the late anti-apartheid hero's birthday that fell on Friday.

The ball raised around 80,000 yuan ($12,880) for Beijing Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism and Beijing Chaoyang District Chenguang Cerebral Palsy Children's Rehabilitation Centre.

Langa said he hoped this event would raise people's awareness of charity work, highlight the growing relationship between South Africa and China and increase Chinese interest in South Africa.

The envoy said he was impressed by the "outpouring of support" from China "not only the government, the Party but also the ordinary people" when Mandela, "a close friend to China", died at the age of 95 in December.

Mandela visited China twice, in 1992 and in 1999. During his presidency, China and South Africa established diplomatic relations, in 1998.

On Friday, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, a movie based on the 1995 autobiography was released in China, and it will be shown on more than 1,000 screens across the country.

However, Yuan Wei, managing director of Walk Through Africa Tours, said mutual understanding between China and South Africa, or rather Africa, still needs improving.

"Media coverage of Africa increased in China recently, but is still not comprehensive enough," said Yuan, a Chinese who has been doing business in Africa since 2000.

The same thing happened in Africa too, Yuan said, adding that many books about China in the library of the community where she lives in South Africa were published in the 1970s or 1980s.

Mai Bo, general manager of South African Airways in China, said there is an obvious increase in the number of Chinese visitors taking the airline to South Africa this summer.

"China is a big country with great potential. Considering the growing joint projects and strengthening economic ties, we may increase flights between the two countries in due time," he said.

Contact the writer at zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn