South Africa celebrates its 19th annual Freedom Day at its embassy in Beijing on April 29.

"At the forefront of the movement for solidarity with the struggle against apartheid were the Communist Party of China, the government and the people of China," said South African Ambassador to China Bheki Langa.

This year also marks the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. "South Africa would like to see more Chinese companies investing in key sectors and projects that have been prioritized to unlock the country's growth potential," said the ambassador.

South Africa is China's largest trading partner in Africa, with an estimated $60 billion in bilateral trade in 2012.

Both countries have achieved significant progress in promoting people-to-people ties. South Africa has three Confucius Institutes and more than 100,000 Chinese tourists visited South Africa in 2012.

KEYNOTE SPEECH: South African Ambassador to China Bheki Langa addresses the celebration in Beijing on April 29 (COURTESY OF THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA)

SHARING FRUITS: Chinese Minister of Supervision Huang Shuxian (left) and South African Ambassador to China Bheki Langa attend the event (COURTESY OF THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA)

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: More than 400 guests attend the reception (COURTESY OF THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA)