China has promised to help Zimbabwe overcome its economic woes arising from sanctions by Western countries, Harare’s Herald newspaper reported on Thursday.
Its website said the undertaking was given by Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Yuan Nansheng when he paid Acting President Joice Mujuru a courtesy call.
”I told the vice-president that the Chinese government will do its best to help the Zimbabwean Government and Zimbabwean people to overcome any difficulties,” Yuan said afterwards.
”We are sure that in the near future Zimbabwe’s economy will become better. Zimbabwe is an important country. Since independence, Zimbabwean people, President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, have made great achievements.
The ambassador hailed the strong political and bilateral relations between Harare and Beijing, saying the ties had grown from strength-to-strength.
Yuan also attended the Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in Goromonzi last month.
China had availed a $200-million loan facility through the Export and Import Bank of China for Zimbabwe to import about 200 000 tonnes of fertiliser.
At least 57 000 tonnes of the fertilizer and an assortment of agricultural chemicals had already been shipped to Zimbabwe. – Sapa