Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 July 2009
Harare — CHINA has pledged to continue supporting Zimbabwe while vowing to boost ties with the country in the fields of mining, agriculture and construction.
According to media reports from Beijing, Mr Wang Jiarui - the head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Mr Zhou Yongkang, who heads the CPC's Central Political and Legislative Affairs Committee, told a visiting Zimbabwean delegation that their Government would drive for greater investment.
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa heads the Zimbabwean delegation that has been in China since June 22.
Mr Wang reportedly told Minister Mnangagwa that it was in the two countries fundamental interests to expand co-operation in the mining, agriculture and construction sectors of the economy.
Xinhua also reported that Mr Wang called for the stepping-up of high-level exchanges and a strengthening of ties between the CPC and Zanu-PF, as well as youth and women's organisations. The agency said Minister Mnangagwa in turn assured Beijing of Zimbabwe's continued friendship and support for the One-China policy.
In a separate meeting, Mr Zhou said although China was facing its own difficulties in the global financial tumult, it would offer Zimbabwe help within its capacity. Mr Zhou encouraged Chinese enterprises to invest more in Zimbabwe.
"We will encourage and facilitate more Chinese companies to seek development in Zimbabwe.
"We sincerely hope to see stability in Zimbabwe, and hope the Zimbabwe people constantly improve their livelihood," Mr Zhou said.
Co-operation with China had benefited the Zimbabwean people in the past, Minister Mnangagwa said, adding that there was still great potential for bilateral co-operation in agriculture and other fields.
He expressed hope that more Chinese firms would invest in his country.
Following the arrival of the delegation in China, Beijing has already extended a US$950 credit line to Zimbabwe, the largest single injection of assistance since the formation of the inclusive Government in February this year. Zimbabwe embarked on a Look East Policy after Western countries slapped illegal sanctions on the country following the land reform programme.
This has seen China and other Eastern nations investing in Zimbabwe.
Xinhua-Herald Reporter.
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