Mugabe hails China's engagement with Africa, slams West's double standards

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday hailed Sino-Africa bilateral cooperation that has transformed livelihoods and slammed actions from the West that have derailed progress in the world's second largest continent.

During his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, Mugabe thanked China for its unconditional support to African causes.

The current Chairman of the African Union said unlike the West, China has remained a dependable ally in the endeavor to promote development, peace and security in Africa.

"China has never been our colonizer and while some detractors allege that our cooperation with Beijing is commercially driven, the reality on the ground does not conform to such a distorted view," Mugabe remarked.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and dozens of African leaders attended the FOCAC summit that will adopt a new road map to re-invigorate bilateral relationship between the two sides.

In his keynote address, Xi articulated a bold vision that China intends to pursue in order to strengthen partnership with African countries in diverse fields like trade, industry, health, agriculture, education, security and environment.

Mugabe hailed President Xi's speech at the FOCAC summit, terming it a worthy reference to the promising direction Sino-Africa bilateral ties have taken.

"President Xi Jinping's speech was so rich and highlighted new forms of assistance covering all sectors of the economy be it mining, agriculture and industry," said Mugabe.

He added that China's rapid economic growth in the last two decades served as an inspiration to African countries grappling with under-development.

"China was once called poor, but it is now a strong economy. We must establish new measures to inject vibrancy in the already dynamic relationship between China and African countries," Mugabe told delegates attending the FOCAC summit.

He thanked China for supporting Africa's liberation struggle alongside the Continent's quest to overcome poverty, disease, hunger and illiteracy.

Mugabe noted that a robust China-Africa partnership has unleashed huge benefits to both sides.

"China has become Africa's premier investments and trading partner. We welcome China to help develop our industries and improve intra Africa trade," Mugabe remarked.

He stressed that rapid socioeconomic progress in China and Africa will have far-reaching impact on international relations. Endit