Mnangagwa one of two presidents to get individual meetings as China hosts two dozen African leaders

By Agencies

• The Chinese president held individual meetings with his Nigerian and Zimbabwean counterparts, aiming to strengthen their countries’ bilateral relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted over two dozen African leaders, pledging cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and education at a banquet held in Beijing on Wednesday, marking the country’s largest summit in years.

China is the second-largest economy in the world and Africa’s primary trading partner, investing in the continent’s assortment of natural resources, including gold, lithium, and rare earth minerals.

Beijing has also contributed to aiding some African countries in constructing necessary infrastructure through the provision of billions in loans.

‘True friend of Africa’

Chinese media described the leader as a “true friend of Africa,” saying Beijing’s relations have reached “new heights” after Xi hosted twenty-five African leaders at this week’s China-Africa forum.

The president and his wife Peng Liyuan welcomed the leaders as they arrived for dinner at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday evening. Additionally, state media depicted Xi talking with over a dozen of his African counterparts on the same day.

During a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu held on Tuesday, Xi emphasized the need for strong cooperation in the “development of infrastructure, energy, and mineral resources,” state news agency Xinhua reported.

Xi also met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the same day, vowing to cooperate in “investment, trade, infrastructure, mineral resources” and other areas with Harare.

The Chinese president also expressed his support for Zimbabwe amid its struggle against “illegal sanctions” imposed by the United States in response to the African leader’s corruption and human rights violations.