China has pledged 5 000 tonnes of food aid this year to Zimbabwe, where more than four million people will soon require aid, the official Herald newspaper reported on Thursday. Deputy Chinese ambassador Ma Deyun also said that her country and Zimbabwe wanted to increase trade to $500-million in 2008 as China expands its presence in Southern Africa.
Robert Mugabe's vice-president has endorsed the veteran Zimbabwean leader's candidature for presidential elections next year and has suggested he should even rule until he dies, a report said on Sunday. Joseph Msika said no-one was so far challenging Mugabe's bid to seek a sixth consecutive term and urged supporters to endorse him at a ruling party congress.
