Xi Jinping praises achievements of visiting Zimbabwean leader who ousted Mugabe
African leader’s ‘reformative plans’ are helping improve people’s livelihoods, Chinese president says
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday commended Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the “achievements made within months” of his coming to power following a military coup.
The 75-year-old African leader met Xi on Tuesday in Beijing during his first state visit to China as Zimbabwe’s first new president in 37 years. The former vice-president led the group that ousted 94-year-old Robert Mugabe, one of the world’s longest serving dictators, in a bloodless takeover late last year.
“Last November, Zimbabwe experienced a peaceful political power transition that won general support from the international community,” Xi was quoted as saying by state broadcaster China National Radio.
“Within the short time that President Mnangagwa has been in power, he has achieved positive results in his reformative plans to develop the country’s economy and improve people’s livelihoods,” he said, adding that China was happy to have Zimbabwe as a “good friend, partner and brother”.
