Beijing will continue to push forward regional integration in Africa: expert
China will work with Zimbabwe and other friendly African nations to create a broader and more solid road of mutual benefits and common development for China and Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in an article published in a local newspaper prior to his first State visit to Zimbabwe, which begins on Tuesday. [Special coverage]
In a signed piece carried by Zimbabwe's leading newspaper, The Herald, on Saturday, Xi said it remains a cornerstone of China's foreign policy to consolidate relations with Zimbabwe and other African nations despite the constant profound and complex changes in the international landscape.
China and Zimbabwe, despite their vast distance, have maintained a traditional friendship that is deep and firm, Xi said, adding that the two peoples have "stood with each other rain or shine," and enjoyed strong friendship and fruitful cooperation over the past 35 years.
He stressed that he looks forward to having in-depth discussions with his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe and friends from all sectors of Zimbabwe, with the aim of enhancing friendship between the two countries, exploring new opportunities for cooperation in all areas and delivering more benefits to the two peoples.
"China and Zimbabwe enjoy traditional friendly ties with frequent State visits between leaders, and the Chinese government and businessmen have also helped stabilize Zimbabwe's economy amid Western countries' sanctions," Liu Haifang, a deputy director of the Center for African Studies at Peking University, told the Global Times.
"Mugabe, currently the African Union chairman, is also a leader who tends to look eastward," Liu said.
China firmly supports Zimbabwe's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests and its choice of the development path that suits its national conditions, Xi said.
Xi called on the two nations to enhance collaboration in the international arena and uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
Liu said Xi's trip to Zimbabwe also carries symbolic political significance, as Xi's African visit would not be confined to certain countries, which shows that China does not only treasure ties with separate African nations but with the continent as a whole, and that it will continue to push forward regional integration in Africa.
The Chinese president is scheduled to visit Zimbabwe on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of Mugabe, before heading to Johannesburg, South Africa to chair the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) from Wednesday to Saturday.
Dismissing speculations that China was dominating the forum, Liu said that "it was South Africa that took the initiative to hold the upcoming FOCAC summit and set its agenda." Liu underlined that "the mechanism is carried out through negotiations, and this year's summit will prove that Africa is capable of advocating and organizing a high-profile summit against the backdrop of a complicated global situation."
