China welcomes Mnangagwa and Mphoko, says it is ready to strengthen relations with Zimbabwe

China has congratulated Zimbabwe’s newly elected vice-presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko and says it is willing to work with Zimbabwe to lift bilateral friendly relations to a higher level so as to bring more benefits to both peoples.

According to the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, these remarks were made by Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao in his congratulatory messages to Mnangagwa and Mphoko on 15 December.

“China and Zimbabwe enjoy profound traditional friendship,” the agency quoted Li as saying. “Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations 34 years ago, the two countries have deepened political mutual trust and conducted fruitful cooperation in various areas such as trade and economy and people-to-people exchanges.”

China is now the world’s largest economy and is increasingly challenging the western-controlled International Monetary Fund as an emergency lender especially to countries at loggerheads with the West.

It has so far bailed out Russia, Argentina and Venezuela.

Zimbabwe is still under United States sanctions while President Robert Mugabe, his wife and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries are still under European Union sanctions.

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