On April 3, 2018, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state jointly agreed to elevate position of China-Zimbabwe relations to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to promote bilateral relations for better development.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the Zimbabwean people have embarked on a new journey in building their country since Mr. President took office last November. As a good friend, good partner and good brother of Zimbabwe, we are sincerely glad to see that. For a long time, China and Zimbabwe have witnessed close relations between each other and the two parties. Both sides have always enjoyed mutual respect and equal treatment, maintained high-level political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results from economic and trade cooperation, and witnessed various highlights of people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The development of China-Zimbabwe relations is facing new opportunities under the new situation. China stands ready to work with Zimbabwe to jointly plan a new blueprint for bilateral cooperation and continue writing a new chapter of China-Zimbabwe relations, so as to better benefit the two countries and their peoples.

Xi Jinping stressed that Mr. President is an old friend of the Chinese people who has been long committed to the cause of China-Zimbabwe friendship. You chose China as the first country outside Africa to visit, fully demonstrating the high importance you attach to China-Zimbabwe relations. China and Zimbabwe have always been "all-weather" friends. No matter how the international landscape changes, the two countries have always stood together through thick and thin and sharing weal and woe. Bilateral friendship will emerge even fresher and remain unshakable and become even firmer as time goes by. Both sides should maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, cement exchanges at all levels, well carry out top-level design and plan for cooperation in various fields and continue to understand and support each other on issues regarding respective core interests and major concerns. The two sides need to enhance the alignment of development strategies, deepen cooperation within the frameworks of the "Belt and Road" and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and continue to orderly promote cooperation in such areas as infrastructure construction, agriculture, investment and financing. China supports Zimbabwe in exploring a development path in line with its own national conditions. The two countries should enhance people-to-people and cultural cooperation so as to continuously consolidate the public opinion and social foundation of bilateral friendship. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs with Zimbabwe. The Chinese side calls on related western countries and organizations to improve relations with Zimbabwe at an early date, and do more practical things for the development of Zimbabwe.

Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulated Xi Jinping once again on his election as Chinese President. Speaking highly of Xi Jinping's foresight and sagacity on state governance and administration, Emmerson Mnangagwa pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is of great enlightenment for Zimbabwe to follow a development path with its own characteristics. He noted that he remembered clearly his study in China in the 1960s, expressing great admiration for the development achievements the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country have scored in past decades. Zimbabwe-China traditional friendship has endured the test of time and change of situation. The Zimbabwean government and the people will never forget China's long-term support, and thank China for its assistance to improve people's livelihood of the country for many years. Zimbabwe will always adhere to the one-China policy, and stands ready to, together with China, promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, enhance communication on state governance and administration, expand all-round practical cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, science and technology, telecommunication, infrastructure and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Zimbabwe commits itself to deepening Africa-China friendly relations, speaks highly of China's great "Belt and Road" initiative, and supports cooperation under the FOCAC framework and Africa to take an active part in cooperation under the "Belt and Road" construction.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Africa friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and is the precious wealth of both sides. The 19th CPC National Congress has put forward that China will commit to working with all countries to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as enhance unity and cooperation with developing countries including Africa. No matter how the international landscape may change and to what stage China develops, China will, as always, stand with vast number of developing countries including African countries, and be a sincere friend and a reliable partner of Africa forever.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as economic technology, agriculture, science and technology and human resources development.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Emmerson Mnangagwa at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. President Xi Jinping's wife, Mme. Peng Liyuan; Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Yang Jiechi; Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Eligen Imibakhi; State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi; Vice Chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Zhengwei and He Lifeng as well as others were present.