China-Zimbabwe Ties: Southern Africa nation seeks deeper economic ties with China

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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will pay a state visit to China from today to Friday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mnangagwa says his country is seeking deeper economic ties with China. The Southern African nation wants to boost and grow its economy--which has been battered by years of Western sanctions. CGTN's Thuli Tshabalala has more.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has his toughest challenge yet. Mnangagwa wants to revive Zimbabwe's economy and make it a middle-class income country by 2030. But in order to achieve this, Mnangagwa says he needs help. The Statesman is turning to longtime ally, China.

EMMERSON MNANGAGWA ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT "I have no doubt that in the economic forum meetings that I am going to address in China, I will be able to invite investors to come to Zimbabwe from China and tell them the opportunities that exist here and the environment, the security of investment that we have created in our own jurisdiction."

This will be his first state visit outside Africa since taking office in November.

EMMERSON MNANGAGWA ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT "We must have deeper economic relations with China. We know the road that we need to follow to grow our economy. We have priorities set out and we know the goals that we want to meet."

Zimbabwe's economy could grow by up to 6% this year---due to reforms being pursued by President Mnangagwa's government. Boosting both domestic and foreign direct investment is key to growing the economy. The Zimbabwean leader says his country needs to embrace new technologies.

EMMERSON MNANGAGWA ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT "The issue is not only about attracting capital into Zimbabwe. It's an issue of leapfrogging after 18 years of isolation so that we catch up with the rest of the developing countries."

Under a 100-day program, the Zimbabwe administration has implemented several reforms, including those that improve the ease of doing business in the country. TT, CGTN.