Zhejiang seeks closer ties with African countries

Che Jun, Party secretary of Zhejiang province, shakes hands with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa June 11. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A group of government leaders from East China's Zhejiang, led by Che Jun, Party secretary of the province, embarked on a tour to three African countries June 10.

With the aim of cementing bilateral ties with Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mauritius in the fields of economy and trade, tourism, education, agriculture, culture and infrastructure construction, the tour indicates Zhejiang's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation to serve the Belt and Road Initiative.

During the meeting with Emmerson Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe, on June 11, Che recalled the time when they met in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, in April, and said that he is full of confidence about boosting bilateral cooperation and exchanges between the two sides.

Mnangagwa also expressed his hopes of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with Zhejiang, adding that the province's companies are welcome to invest in Zimbabwe, especially in agriculture, tourism, high-technology and machinery manufacturing.

In the following days, the Zhejiang delegation will attend a business forum co-hosted by the three African nations and visit local industrial parks, schools and cooperation projects.