On January 9, 2017, President Xi Jinping met at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the traditional friendship between China and Zimbabwe was forged by people of the two countries who fought side by side for national liberation and jointly created by President Robert Mugabe and the older generations of Chinese leaders. Having withstood the test of times and the ever-changing international situations, it remains unshakable and becomes even firmer as time goes by. China will never forget its old friend, and the Chinese people cherish the profound friendship with the Zimbabwean people. China appreciates Zimbabwe's consistent and strong support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns, and will always continue to support Zimbabwe in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development benefits, and back the Zimbabwean people in choosing their own development path.

Xi Jinping stressed that with concerted efforts of both sides, consensus reached by President Robert Mugabe and I on developing bilateral relations and the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are being actively implemented. The two countries are actively advancing cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction and agriculture. China is willing to encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest and establish business in Zimbabwe and expand bilateral cooperation. The Chinese side stands ready to, together with Zimbabwe, push bilateral mutually beneficial cooperative relations for new achievements.

Robert Mugabe said that he is happy to come to the great and friendly China again. President Xi Jinping's state visit to Zimbabwe and attendance at the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in 2015 have achieved great success. China has been offering precious help to the economic and social development of African countries, including Zimbabwe over a long period of time. African countries are taking active steps to push forward the implementation of the ten major China-Africa cooperation plans put forward by President Xi Jinping at the Johannesburg Summit. Zimbabwe is willing to continuously deepen cooperation with China in such areas as infrastructure and agriculture.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi and others attended the meeting.