Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently paid a state visit to China, where he attended the 2024 Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held from September 4 to 6 in Beijing. In an exclusive interview with CGTN’s Zou Yun, President Mnangagwa shared his insights on the flourishing partnership between Zimbabwe and China, and his expectations for the future of China-Africa relations.
He highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Zimbabwe and China, dating back to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. “I don’t know of any African country where China has not impacted the development of that particular country,” President Mnangagwa remarked, emphasizing the significant role China plays in Africa’s development.
Since the last FOCAC summit in Beijing in 2018, President Mnangagwa noted that “Africa’s transformation has been tremendous.” He praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision, calling it “a wellspring of wisdom” that has guided the robust cooperation between China and African nations.
As both countries strive for socioeconomic modernization, President Mnangagwa expressed optimism about elevating bilateral relations between China and African countries to the level of strategic relations. He believes that enhanced collaboration will lead to mutual benefits and further strengthen the ties between China and the African continent.
“Our cooperation with China is not only beneficial to Zimbabwe but to the entire African continent,” he stated. President Mnangagwa looks forward to continued partnership and shared growth, underscoring the importance of unity and mutual support in achieving common development goals.
Reference(s):
Exclusive interview with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa
cgtn.com
