Zimbabwe and China signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement worth around $55 million, coupled with an agreement in principle for food aid worth approximately $6.9 million to the southern African country.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the signing ceremony at the Presidential Palace, where Zimbabwean Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube thanked China for its continued support of various economic sectors in the country.

He said that the previous economic and technical cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in 2020 allowed several wells to be drilled across the country and the implementation of the Juncao Technology Assistance Project, which is helping Zimbabwean farmers grow a hybrid grass rich in protein.

">"The Zimbabwean government genuinely recognizes and appreciates the emergency food aid it is continuously receiving from China. China has proven to be a constant ally, not least thanks to the invaluable support it constantly provides to the Zimbabwean people,” said

For his part, the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, said that these agreements reflect the strength of the ties between the two countries and China's unwavering solidarity with Zimbabwe.

He said that the economic and technical cooperation agreement and the food aid agreement were among the 17 cooperation agreements reached between China and Zimbabwe during Mr. Mnangagwa's state visit to China last year.

"Over and over again, we have proven that we have a shared future and that we stand side by side in the face of challenges. We cherish this deep and enduring friendship, and we will continue to stand together in the face of all challenges,” said Mr. Zhou.

The Chinese Ambassador emphasized that the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries had developed in all areas in Zimbabwe, bringing tangible benefits to both nations and constituting a brilliant example of South-South cooperation.