Jiang Jianguo, minister of the State Council Information Office, delivers the keynote speech at the China-Africa Media Summit in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday.
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“The Chinese president will make a difference in our trade relations with China in a manner that is sustainable, in a manner that will attract many investors into Zimbabwe”, the minister told Xinhua.
This was evident in the Zimbabwean visit, where Xi signed several investment deals involving key sectors, including power generation, construction and communications.
Mr Xi heads to Johannesburg today, ahead of the two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on Friday.
Observers said that with the “strong” economic delegation accompanying Xi in his visit, it seems that China is ready to help revive the nation’s hard up economy.
Cao said China has identified 45 countries in the world and has so far signed agreements on production capacity with five African countries including Angola, Mozambique, Egypt and others.
“China has earnestly fulfilled the worldwide obligations and actively participated in global cooperation in wildlife protection”, Xi said.
However, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Japhet Moyo dismissed Xi’s visit.
“Zimbabwe’s parlous economic situation – a 45 percent decline in GDP between 1999 and 2008, a 90 percent jobless rate, chronic food insecurity, a yawning infrastructure deficit – Xi’s visit raises expectations of what China can, or should, do to help its stricken ally”, said The Source publication in Harare on Tuesday.
In a bylined article published in the local newspaper the Herald, Xi touted the close ties with Zimbabwe as being “a cornerstone” of China’s foreign policy, despite constant and complex changes in the worldwide landscape.
To those who might be alarmed at the slowdown of the Chinese economy, Wang gave the assurance that China still expected to import over 10 trillion United States dollars worth of goods, invest over 500 billion USA dollars overseas, and see more than 500 million Chinese tourists travel abroad over the next five years.
Highlighting steady bilateral cooperation between the two countries, Zuma welcomed more investment from China and hoped the two sides could promote more fruitful cooperation in such areas as trade, technology, energy, marine products, commercial aviation and financing.
Xi is the second sitting Chinese president to visit Zimbabwe after Jiang Zemin in 1996.
Some observers see competition among China and other world powers, such as the USA, for African resources and African support.
Homosexuality is not against the law in the country, but LGBT people often face harsh government clampdowns – with Mugabe claiming homosexuality is a filthy disease, and claiming Zimbabwe would “never, never, never” support homosexuality.
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The meeting was organised for China and Zimbabwe business entities to share notes on investments opportunities.
