Wed, November 16, 2011
BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday pledged to develop stronger practical cooperation with Zimbabwe during a meeting with visiting Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe .
Calling Mugabe an old friend of China, Xi said the 87-year-old is a renowned leader of national liberation movement in Africa and has made great contributions to China-Africa relations.
Xi said China would like to promote cooperation with Zimbabwe in trade, agriculture, mining and infrastructure and seek closer coordination in international affairs.
China and Zimbabwe have worked together productively in politics, trade, culture, education and other fields since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1980, Xi said.
China appreciates Zimbabwe's firm adherence to the one-China policy and supports Zimbabwe to explore its own development path in accordance with its national conditions, Xi said.
Mugabe said the people of Zimbabwe and China enjoy profound friendly relations despite the great distance between the two countries.
Zimbabe appreciates China's long-term support towards its economic and social development, Mugabe said.
Mugabe said China is Zimbabwe's trustworthy friend, saying his country would like to work more closely with China in sectors of agriculture, minerals and infrastructure.
Earlier Wednesday, Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also met with Mugabe in Beijing.
