1.Bilateral Political Relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations on 18 April 1980, the day of Zimbabwe's independence. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations between the two countries have developed smoothly. In April 2018, the two countries established the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.

In recent years, the two countries enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges. Main visits from the Chinese side include: President Xi Jinping (December 2015); Chen Xiaodong, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government and Assistant Foreign Minister (November 2017); Su Hui, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee (August 2018); Gu Shengzu, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee (September 2019); Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister (January 2020); Yang Jiechi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs (July 2022); Zhou Qiang, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee (September 2023); Jiang Xinzhi, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee (March 2024), etc.

Main visits from the Zimbabwean side include: in April 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa paid a state visit to China and attended the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). From August 29 to September 6, 2024, President Emmerson Mnangagwa paid a state visit to China and attended the 2024 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC. Frederick Shawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (May 2023); Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion (March 2024), etc.

2. Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations

China-Zimbabwe economic and trade cooperation enjoys a sound foundation and broad prospects. The governments of China and Zimbabwe have signed agreements on economic and technological cooperation, trade and investment protection and agreements on avoidance of double taxation, and set up a joint commission of economic and trade. In 2024, the trade value between China and Zimbabwe reached 3.8 billion US dollars, up 23.9% year on year, of which the export volume of China was 1.4 billion US dollars, down 2.5% year on year, and the import volume was 2.4 billion US dollars, up 46.2% year on year.

3. Exchanges and Cooperation in Culture, Education and Other Fields

China and Zimbabwe have conducted diverse forms of cooperation in such fields as culture, education, medical care and health and achieved fruitful results. China and Zimbabwe have signed cultural agreements, higher education cooperation agreements and aviation agreements. In March 2007, the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe was officially opened. Zimbabwe is an outbound tourist destination for Chinese citizens. Since July 1, 2018, Zimbabwe has granted visa on arrival to Chinese tourists. The Chinese side has dispatched 21 medical teams to Zimbabwe with a total of over 200 person-times.

4.Important Bilateral Agreements

Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe (April 18, 1980);

Cultural Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe (May 14, 1981)

Trade Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe (May 14, 1981)

Agreement on Establishment of Joint Commission of Economic Technical and Trade Cooperation Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe (August 28, 1985)

Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection on Investments (May 22, 1996)

Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Cooperation Within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (September 5, 2018)

Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe on Deepening and Enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation and Building a High-Level China-Zimbabwe Community with a Shared Future (September 3, 2024)