Xi Jinping's trip to South Africa was the president's final trip overseas in 2015 and marks the end of a packed year for China's international diplomacy.

Packed overseas itinerary for Xi Jinping in 2015?

Since his first trip to Pakistan back in late April, Xi has clocked up trips to no less than 14 nations in around eight months.

In total, he has spent 42 days overseas, making 10 official state visits and attending 9 international conferences. He has also visited eight countries for the first time as leader, including Pakistan, Belarus, the UK, Vietnam, Singapore, Turkey, the Philippines and Zimbabwe.

He has visited six other nations at least twice since taking office.