Mugabe met China's Xi Jinping today

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in Beijing on Monday.

Xi said the traditional friendship between China and Zimbabwe was forged when people of the two countries fought side by side for national liberation. It was jointly created by President Mugabe and the older generations of Chinese leaders and has stood tests of time and international vicissitudes.

China appreciates Zimbabwe's strong support in issues involving China's core interests and major concerns, and will continue to support Zimbabwe in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development benefits, and support the people of Zimbabwe in choosing their own development path, Xi said.

He said the consensus he reached with President Mugabe on developing bilateral ties is being effectively implemented together with the results achieved at the Johannesburg Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2015. The two countries are actively promoting cooperation in fields including infrastructure construction and agriculture, Xi said, adding that China is willing to encourage competitive Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Zimbabwe so as to expand bilateral cooperation.

China is willing to work with Zimbabwe to make new achievements in mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said.

In response, Mugabe said he was happy to come to China again. President Xi Jinping's state visit to Zimbabwe and attendance at the Johannesburg Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2015 achieved great success, said Mugabe.

China has been offering great help to economic and social development of the African countries including Zimbabwe over a long period of time, and African countries are taking active steps to promote implementation of the 10 major cooperation plans announced by Xi at the Johannesburg Summit, said Mugabe, adding that Zimbabwe is willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure and agriculture.