Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the elevation of bilateral relations to an all-weather community with a shared future during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday. This upgrade in relations comes as Mnangagwa visits China to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
President Xi welcomed Mnangagwa and emphasized the importance of jointly remembering history and safeguarding world peace. He called for building on the “five-star ironclad” cooperation framework proposed during their meeting last September, with the aim of further elevating their ties. Xi stressed the need to oppose hegemonic and bullying acts, uphold international fairness and justice, and push for a more just and reasonable development of international order.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe. Xi suggested that elevating their bilateral relations to an all-weather community with a shared future would set a model for solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa, and even between China and the Global South. He emphasized the deepening “five-star ironclad” friendship between the two countries.
Mnangagwa commended China for the grand V-Day gathering in Beijing’s Tian’anmen Square, noting that the spirit of the Chinese people during World War II would continue to inspire new generations. He congratulated China on the spectacular military parade, describing it as “something out of this world.” Mnangagwabelieves that the commemorations will promote the correct historical narrative of China’s great contribution to World War II, and that the spirit of resilience of the Chinese people will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.
The upgraded bilateral relations between China and Zimbabwe are expected to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between the two nations. As China continues to play a significant role in global affairs, its relations with African countries like Zimbabwe are likely to be closely watched. The anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation and the need to uphold peace and justice worldwide.
