JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A floral extravaganza ended Saturday in South Africa's resort town of Parys with Chinese elements being the highlights of the gala.

The Free State Madeira Flower Festival, featuring exquisite performers, floats and giant flowers puppets, attracted thousands of visitors from all parts of South Africa and abroad.

A special Chinese Cuisine Night, hosted by the Chinese Consulate-General in Johannesburg and local enterprises and communities, was an eye-catcher of the two-day festival.

Presented at the event were Various Chinese foods, traditional songs and dances from both countries, Chinese martial arts and a spectacular fireworks show.

Cultural communications will take on a bigger role in developing bilateral relations, promoting mutual understanding and trust and building bridges of friendship and cooperation, said Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg Ruan Ping.

"To make the South African culture a part of the Chinese people's life and to have the Chinese culture understood and adopted by the South African friends are the theme of this Chinese Cuisine Night," he noted.

It is the second time that a fully-fledged, massive flower parade has taken to the streets in Parys, according to the organizer. The festival is a joint venture between the governments of the Free State and Portugal's Madeira Island.