1. Political relations
The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe
established diplomatic relations on April 18,1980, the Independence
Day of Zimbabwe. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed stable
and friendly ties.
The Chinese leaders who paid visit to Zimbabwe are as follows:
President Jiang Zemin (1996), State Councilor and Defense Minister
Chi Haotian (1994), Vice Premier Zhu Rongji (1995), State Councilor
Chen Junsheng (1996), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of
the National People's Congress Xu Jialu (1999), Foreign Minister
Tang Jiaxuan (2000), the Standing Member of the Political Bureau of
the Communist Party of China Wei Jianxing (2002) and Vice Chairman
of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference Wan Guoquan(2003).
The Zimbabwean leaders who paid visit to China are as follows:
President Robert Mugabe (1980,1981,1985,1987, 1993 and 1999),?
Vice President Muzenda (1996), Foreign Minister Mudenge (1996), the
Speaker of the Parliament Mnangagwa (2001), the National Chairman
of Zanu-PF Nkomo (2001) and Minister of Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs and the leader of Zanu-PF in the Parliament
Chinamasa (2003).
2. Trade relations and economic and technological
cooperation
The governments of China and Zimbabwe have signed agreements on
economic and technical cooperation, trade, investment protection. A
joint economic and trade commission between the two nations has
also been set up. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations,
China has rendered assistance to Zimbabwe in the construction of
Harare stadium, hospitals, dams, school dormitories, wells and
clothing factories, etc. With the support of the buyer's credit by
the Export- Import Bank of China, the China Capital Iron and Steel
Corporation took part in the reconstruction of No.4 blast furnace
of Zimbabwean Iron and Steel Corporation. The project was completed
in June 1999.
The trade volume between the two countries in 2002 was US$191
million. The export of China to Zimbabwe totaled US$32 million and
import US$159 million.
3. Exchange in the fields of culture, education and
public health
China and Zimbabwe have signed a cultural agreement and a
protocol on higher education cooperation. 11 Zimbabwean students
are now studying in China. At present, China has 3 teachers and 9
medical personnel working in Zimbabwe. China began to send medical
teams to Zimbabwe in 1984.
4. Important agreements and documents
The Government of the People's Republic of China and the
Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, in conformity with the
interests and desire of the two peoples, have decided to establish
diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level between the People's
Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe effective from April
18, 1980.
(Chinese Foreign Ministry October 10, 2006)