HARARE, Jan 22 (NNN-NEW ZIANA) — China and Zimbabwe will this year look at various ways of deepening political and economic co-operation as the two countries mark 30 years of friendship, says Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Xin Shunkang.
He told journalists here Thursday that the two countries would this year implement a number of initiatives aimed at cementing relations.
“The two countries have enjoyed frequent high-level contacts, enhanced political mutual trust and ever-deepening co-operation in such fields as economic development and trade, culture, education, health, military affairs as well as close consultation and co-ordination in international and regional affairs,? he said.
Xin noted that China had in the past three years extended 300 million USD to Zimbabwe in support of various programmes. The funding included a 200 million USD loan, training of government officials, provision of grain as well as assistance in fighting the 2008 cholera epidemic.
He said the Chinese Embassy in Harare would this year promote exchanges between senior government officials, cultural figures and people-to-people exchanges as well as implement measures aimed at enhancing bilateral economic and trade co-operation.
“The Chinese government and people value the traditional friendship with Zimbabwe and view Zimbabwe as a trustworthy friend and important partner,” he said, adding that the relationship between the two countries was “all weather”.
Turning to sanctions which some western nations had imposed on Zimbabwe, the ambassador said China would never support the embargo, especially when it negatively impacted on the livehood of the majority of the people.
Xin said Zimbabwe-China relations dated back to the country?s liberation struggle in the 1960′s. Zimbabwe eventually gained independence in 1980 and has enjoyed support from China since then.
He said the embassy would this year participate in commemorating Zimbabwe?s 30th anniversary of independence on April 18. — NNN-NEW ZIANA
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