On February 9 local time, State Councilor Yang Jiechi told journalists that the Chinese government firmly supports African countries’ efforts in unity for self-development and the integration process after he met with President Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe in Harare.

Yang Jiechi said I, on behalf of the Chinese side, warmly congratulate President Mugabe on having been elected as the new rotating chairman of the African Union (AU) last month. I believe that under the leadership of President Mugabe, the AU will make more progress in its unity for self-development and the integration process. The Chinese government firmly supports African countries’ efforts in unity for self-development and the integration process. We noticed that the 24th AU Summit held at the end of last month examined and approved “Agenda 2063”, which draws the blueprint for the development of Africa in the next 50 years. China believes that a strong AU and a united Africa are conducive to improving the international status and influence of the whole Africa, enhancing the strength of developing countries, and promoting a more balanced and stable world.