On Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the passing away of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. 

In the message, Xi hailed Mugabe an "outstanding politician and leader of the national liberation movement" in Zimbabwe and Africa, adding that Mugabe had made significant contributions to the friendship and cooperation between China and Zimbabwe and between China and Africa. 

Mugabe's death was a huge loss to the Zimbabwean people and even Chinese people have lost an "old friend" and "good friend," Xi said. 

He stressed that China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, describing it as "brotherly."  

China is willing to make joint efforts with the Zimbabwean government and people to continue to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields, so as to promote further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries, Xi said. 

Mugabe, the leader of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017, passed away at the age of 95 earlier this week.