China mourns Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe after years of unwavering support
- Despite international pressure to stop working with his administration over its human rights record, Beijing’s influence in the African nation only grew
- Chinese foreign ministry describes him as an ‘outstanding leader of the national liberation movement and statesman’
His successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, confirmed Mugabe’s death in a Singapore hospital on Friday.
China described Mugabe as an “outstanding leader of the national liberation movement and statesman” who firmly defended the country’s sovereignty, as African leaders termed him a “liberator” and “pan-Africanist”, while some media called him a “tyrant”.
In his condolence message, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China had “lost an old friend and a good friend” and wanted to foster cooperation with Zimbabwe, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Mugabe’s death was deeply mourned in China, noting that the former president opposed foreign interference and actively promoted Beijing’s relations with Zimbabwe and Africa.
“We’d like to express deep condolences over Mugabe’s passing, and convey sincere sympathy to Zimbabwe’s government, its people, as well as his family members,” Geng said.