Wei Jianxing, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met Monday afternoon with John Nkomo, National Chairman of the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front.
While expressing a warm welcome to Nkomo, Wei spoke highly of the China-Zimbabwe relationship.
China and Zimbabwe enjoy a traditional friendly relationship, Wei said, adding that Chinese people always remember that Zimbabwe immediately established a diplomatic relationship with China on the day Zimbabwe won independence.
During the past two decades since China and Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations, the two countries have continuously expanded cooperative fields and cooperative methods, said Wei, adding that China and Zimbabwe will be sincere and faithful friends forever.
He also said that China is willing to work together with Zimbabwe to elevate bilateral friendly cooperative relations to a higher level.
When referring to the Sino-Zimbabwean party relationship, Wei said that party relationship has become an important part in bilateral relations. During the past years, the CPC and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front have always compassionately helped each other, thus building a profound friendship.
He said that both countries wish to further friendly contacts between the two parties in the new century and hope it will make new contributions to the development of Sino-Zimbabwean friendly cooperative relations.
Wei also asked Nkomo to pass on Chinese President Jiang Zemin's and his own friendly greetings and kind wishes to Zimbabwean President Mugabe, which Nkomo appreciated.
Nkomo said that during their struggle for national independence and development, Zimbabweans have gained precious support and help from Chinese people.
In recent years, friendly cooperation between the two countries has been greatly broadened and made great progress, said Nkomo, noting that Zimbabwe attaches great importance to the development of long-term friendly relations with China and is willing to use Chinese experience for reference. In the new century, the two parties and the two countries should cooperate with each other more closely.
Nkomo warmly congratulated Wei on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. He said that during the past 80 years, Chinese people have achieved great progress under the leadership of the CPC, which has deeply encouraged Zimbabweans.
He said he hopes that the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front will further develop friendly contacts with the CPC in order to promote bilateral relations in various sectors.
Wei also briefed Nkomo and his entourage on China's current domestic situations and party construction.
(Xinhua News Agency 06/18/2001)
