While the political relationship has strengthened, China has also become South Africa's largest trading partner for nine years running. Some Chinese brands are gaining popularity in the country's active consumer market. China's automotive industry in particular is strengthening China-Africa ties by feeding demand for quality car-parts in South Africa. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei finds out more from a vehicle production line near Beijing.

Chinese car brands continue to win trust and gain popularity among domestic customers. Now, moving forward, companies such as Beijing Automobile Works, or BAW, are investing in South Africa.

MENG WEI PRODUCTION DIRECTOR, BEIJING AUTOMOBILE WORKS "We are using South Africa as a jump start to explore the entire African market. Sales in South Africa are good, the demand there is higher than supply."

Meng Wei says the cross country, vehicles they've made are designed specifically for South African drivers. From road conditions to driving habits, many perspectives are considered. Minibuses can be found almost everywhere on the streets of South Africa, 3,000 of them are BAW cars. Thanks to the stability of China-made engines. They're not pricy and can endure low-quality gasoline.

ZHAO YUNFEI LANGFANG, HEBEI PROVINCE, CHINA "Small components of the car are produced here on a production line just outside Beijing. Usually these are the units with core technology. From here they get shipped to the factory in South Africa. The local workers there will assemble the entire vehicle."

YAO JIANYONG VICE PRESIDENT, BEIJING AUTOMOBILE WORKS "Among the 280 staff members in our factory in Johannesburg, most of them are local workers. The majority of the administration team is hired locally, 10 of them are dispatched from Beijing. 100 percent of these workers are local people."

The trade volume between China and South Africa has grown drastically over the past two decades. Yao Jianyong says the company has made a strategic step forward in the market.

YAO JIANYONG VICE PRESIDENT, BEIJING AUTOMOBILE WORKS "I was just on a business trip in South Africa, and I noticed that they acknowledge China's Belt and Road initiative and made-in-China products. They expect to deepen cooperation with China."

With Chinese products standing firm in the African markets, potential can be explored as collaboration mechanisms get more advanced. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, Langfang, Hebei Province.