CHINESE President Xi Jinping has praised veterans of Zimbabwe’s national liberation struggle for their enduring commitment to China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa friendship, describing their bond with China as one forged through shared sacrifice and common purpose.
In a letter sent on Wednesday in response to correspondence from the veterans, President Xi said the former fighters, in their youth, had devoted themselves to the cause of national liberation, left their homelands, and built a profound friendship and comradeship with China during the struggle.
He said their continued dedication to strengthening China-Zimbabwe and broader China-Africa relations remains deeply moving and reflects the enduring spirit of solidarity between the two sides.
President Xi noted that 2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, coinciding with the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Over the past seven decades, he said, China has consistently stood as a reliable comrade and partner in Africa’s pursuit of national liberation, development and rejuvenation.
He added that China is ready to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as an opportunity to deepen traditional friendship and jointly shape a stronger future for China-Africa relations.
President Xi also expressed hope that the veterans would continue to inspire African youth to dedicate themselves to advancing China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa friendship.
As the Chinese New Year of the Horse approaches, he said China and Africa should uphold the tireless spirit symbolised by the dragon and the horse, work together to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and write a new chapter in bilateral and continental cooperation.
China has long supported Africa’s struggles against imperialism and colonialism, particularly following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and has maintained close ties with liberation movements across the continent.
In their letter to President Xi, the Zimbabwean liberation war veterans expressed gratitude for China’s support during Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence, praised his leadership of the Communist Party of China, and commended China’s development path, which they said offers valuable lessons for other developing nations.
They also reaffirmed pride in the all-weather Zimbabwe-China community with a shared future and pledged to continue promoting friendship between the two countries.
