Pretoria, South Africa, Safar 20, 1437, Dec 2, 2015, SPA -- Chinese President Xi Jinping began a state visit to South Africa on Wednesday, part of China's effort to strengthen economic ties with Africa, AP reported. The Chinese government became Africa's largest international trading partner in 2009, according to the South African Institute of International Affairs. Trade was valued at over $201 billion last year, a sharp rise from just $10.6 billion in 2000. This is Xi's second visit to the country — the first was in 2013 when the Chinese president toured several African states. -- SPA 23:11 LOCAL TIME 20:11 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w