Zimbabwe, China trade grows

He told journalists the figures for the whole year were higher than the $810 million achieved last year.

“Recent years have seen the fast growth of bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe,” he said.

“China has become the third largest trade partner of Zimbabwe after South Africa and the European Union.”

In 2009, trade between the two countries stood at $297 million.

China is one of the top destinations for Zimbabwean tobacco.

Lin said the Asian giant was striving to support Zimbabwe’s development efforts through financing various projects this year.

Projects include the National Defence College and expansion of the Victoria Falls airport.

Lin said the traditional “all-weather” relations between the two countries continued to strengthen as illustrated by frequent high level visits and people to people exchanges.

“These high level visits enhanced the exchange and cooperation between our two governments at all levels,” the ambassador said.

Lin said efforts were also being made to ensure Zimbabwe benefited under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, which seeks to enhance mutually beneficial relationship.

“China-Zimbabwe cooperation is a typical South-South cooperation for mutual benefits and complementary advantages,” he said.

Currently the second biggest economy in the world, China has in the last few years emerged as Africa’s largest trade partner.

Meanwhile, Lin called on the media to help mould a prosperous relationship between the two countries. — New Ziana