Update | China’s Xi Jinping hails Mugabe's Zimbabwe as 'all-weather friend' on his return to Africa as dynamics shift

President Xi Jinping described Zimbabwe as the “all-weather friend” of China as he landed in Harare on Tuesday for a five-day visit to the continent to strengthen Beijing’s economic and security presence in the face of declining commodity prices and Sino-African trade.

The two leaders held talks and oversaw the signing by their ministers of 10 agreements and memorandums of understanding covering energy, aviation, telecommunications and investment promotion deals to shore up Zimbabwe's economy, which has fallen into dire straits under Mugabe's rule.

Xi is the most prominent leader for many years to visit Zimbabwe -- a diplomatic coup for Mugabe who has fostered ties with China since Beijing backed several African movements fighting to end colonial rule.
“I am glad that Zimbabwe and China speak the same language on many issues,” said Mugabe.

“We share the same conviction that only a fair, just and non-prescriptive world order, based on the principles of the charter of the United Nations, can deliver the development we all need.”
Xi expressed “full confidence in our bilateral relations.”

There are already more than 100 Chinese companies investing in Zimbabwe, said Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, “and there is a lot of interest in all sectors of the economy from Chinese investors.” 
“This visit gives a guide to Chinese investors that Zimbabwe is a safe destination for their investments,” he told reporters.

China is the largest buyer of tobacco from Zimbabwe, and -- as in many African countries -- has invested in mining, manufacturing and infrastructure.

China built Zimbabwe's National Sports Stadium in the 1980s, as well as rural hospitals and the country's biggest shopping mall, and also provided loans for water schemes and power stations.