Education World

China has vowed to push vigorously its traditional friendship with Zimbabwe to a new height on the occasion of 30 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Xin Shunkang made the remarks in a speech published in the Herald newspaper on Monday to mark three decades of China-Zimbabwe diplomatic relations.

“In the context of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Zimbabwe foreign ties, the Chinese government and Embassy will exert our best efforts to further enhance practical cooperation in all sectors,” Xin said.

China and Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1980, the day of Zimbabwe’s independence.

The ambassador said China will actively carry out the new eight measures announced at the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Sharm el Sheik in November 2009 to further cement bilateral ties with Zimbabwe.

He said China has valued its traditional friendship with Zimbabwe, and has viewed it as a trustworthy friend and important partner.

The two countries support each other and share common interests at the multilateral fora.

Xin paid tribute to the strong ties that exist between the two countries, saying these have remained as vigorous as ever.

The two countries have enjoyed frequent high-level contacts, enhanced political mutual trust and ever-deepening cooperation in such fields as economic development and trade, culture, education, health as well as close consultation and coordination in international affairs, he said.

Meanwhile, the two countries have lined up various activities this week to mark the 30 th anniversary.

On Saturday, the visiting Chinese U-19 soccer team played at Zimbabwe’s Dynamos football club at the newly refurbished national sports stadium as part of events to commemorate the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

China refurbished the stadium at a cost of 10 million U.S. dollars, and handed it back to Zimbabwe just before the match.

China first built the stadium in 1987 but it was closed by government in 2007 to allow Chinese contractors to carry out maintenance work.