Story by Josephine Mugiyo in China
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says China continues to play a key role in Zimbabwe’s development, applauding the Asian nation for supporting the call for removal of sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and its Western Allies.
The President, who is in China, visited the Asian country’s Hunan province this Saturday.
Having arrived in China Thursday, President Mnangagwa’s first port of call was in Shenzhen, in the Guangdong province.
Upon arrival in Hunan, he was received at the Changsha Huanghua Airport by the vice governor of the province, Mr Jiang Difei.
President Mnangagwa’s first stop was at Chairman Mao’s former residence in Shaoshan City.
The President laid wreaths at the statue of Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, the Chinese founding father.
He was the leader of the Chinese communist party from 1953 until his death. Chairman Mao remains a revered figure in his home country.
The President also paid a visit at Cde Mao’s Memorial Hall where he signed a book of visitors.
Chairman Mao’s former residence is among the major tourist attractions in China.
President Mnangagwa also toured the factory of the Sany Group, a world leader in heavy construction machinery.
President Mnangagwa met with the Chinese Community Party Committee Secretary of Hunan Cde Shen Xiaoming.
President Mnangagwa highlighted how China has contributed to Zimbabwe’s economic independence through various infrastructure development projects.
On Sunday, President Mnangagwa is expected to visit Jiangsu.
He will then proceed to Beijing on Monday for an official State Visit and is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior government officials.
Upon conclusion of the state visit, the President will then attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Zimbabwe and China enjoy cordial relations which date back to the 1960s, with the first group of the country’s freedom fighters having been trained in China.
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