English.news.cn　 2011-03-22

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (L rear) and Zimbabwe Vice President Joyce Mujuru (R rear) attend a signing ceremony in Harare, March 21, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Ping)

HARARE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said Monday that their countries are ready to deepen ties and expand cooperation.

During their talks held here, Wang called Mugabe an old friend of the Chinese people and saluted his remarkable contribution to China-Zimbabwe friendship.

Since establishing diplomatic ties 31 years ago, the two countries have withstood the tests posed by the volatile international situation and supported each other on affairs concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, said Wang.

Thanks to their concerted efforts, he added, recent years have seen the two nations harvest rich fruit from their robust cooperation.

Noting that China and Zimbabwe are highly complementary to each other economically and have great potential for further cooperation, Wang said the two sides should take a long-term, strategic perspective and make efforts to further consolidate their ties, enhance political mutual trust and raise bilateral cooperation to higher levels.

As a genuine friend of Zimbabwe, China is pleased to see Zimbabwe making significant headway in its economic recovery and development, and ready to cooperate with related parties to bring more benefits to the Zimbabwean people, he added.

The Chinese vice premier also briefed Mugabe on China's 2011-2015 development plan and its Africa policy, saying that China is willing to work together with Zimbabwe and other African countries to push forward China-Africa relations.

Mugabe, for his part, said that the Zimbabwean government and people welcome the Chinese delegation and highly value the cooperation agreements the two sides signed during the visit.

Recalling that China helped Zimbabwe gain independence and has been assisting the country in economic development and on international affairs, the president said its valuable support fully testifies to China's sincere friendship.

Given the complicated situation in the Middle East and Africa, Zimbabwe is willing to strengthen cooperation with China and maintain peace, stability and development of Africa, Mugabe said.

Also on Monday, Wang met with Zimbabwean Vice President Joyce Mujuru and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, both of whom agreed to boost China-Zimbabwe cooperation in various fields.

Wang and Mujuru also visited a local hospital where a joint medical project is under way with the aim of restoring sight to some 500 cataract patients.

Zimbabwe is the second leg of Wang's ongoing three-nation Africa tour, which has taken him to Kenya and will end in Angola later this week.

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (L) meets with Zimbabwe Vice President Joyce Mujuru in Harare, March 21, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Ping)

Editor: Wang Guanqun