Mugabe får kinesisk top-besøg

Forfatter billede

China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in Zimbabwe, saying that the two nations has a "deep and firm" friendship, BBC online reports Monday.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe strongly pursues a "Look East" policy since the West isolated him over his controversial land reform programme.

China is major investor in Zimbabwe, helping to keep its economy afloat. The two governments are expected to sign agreements to boost Zimbabwe's agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors.

But government sources say the Chinese are hesitant to pump money into Zimbabwe. President Mugabe is turning 92 and the Chinese want guarantees that their investments will be safe if there is a change in leadership.

Mr Xi and a large Chinese delegation will fly to South Africa on Wednesday, where he will attend the first China-Africa summit to be held in Africa. It is expected to be attended by leaders from across the continent.