Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday exchanged messages of congratulations with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic ties. 

In his congratulatory message, Xi said China and Zimbabwe have always trusted and supported each other in the past four decades, adding that bilateral ties have withstood the test of history and changes in the international situation. 

"I reached important consensus with President Mnangagwa on establishing and developing a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Zimbabwe," Xi noted. 

The two leaders agreed to establish the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in April 2018 during Mnangagwa's visit to China.

Xi said he is willing to make joint efforts with Mnangagwa to promote cooperation between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and synergize outcomes of the 2018 Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030. 

The Chinese president called on the two sides to expand practical cooperation in various fields and provide stronger support to each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. 

China is willing to work more closely with Zimbabwe to defeat the COVID-19 outbreak together, he said. 

In his message, Mnangagwa hailed the two countries' "brotherly friendship" over the past 40 years, noting that bilateral ties feature sincerity, solidarity, win-win and mutual trust. 

Zimbabwe firmly adheres to the one-China principle and actively participates in the BRI, he told Xi, adding that his country is committed to deepening the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. 

Zimbabwe is willing to enhance solidarity and mutual assistance with China amid the COVID-19 outbreak and address its impact on their cooperation, Mnangagwa said.