On May 22, 2013, Vice Premier Wang Yang of the State Council, who is paying an official visit to Zimbabwe, met with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in Harare.

Wang Yang conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes from President Xi Jinping to President Mugabe. Mugabe asked Wang to convey his sincere gratitude and regards to President Xi.

Wang Yang noted that President Xi Jinping's visit to Africa in March pushes China-Africa relationship to a new high. China-Zimbabwe friendship has a long history with firm basis. For the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries, China and Zimbabwe have always adhered to the principles of sincere friendship, equality, mutual benefit and common development, supporting each other on issues concerning each other's core and major interests and providing help for each other in the cause of national development. He hopes that this visit will help implement the results of President Xi's visit to Africa, boost communication and enhance understanding, and continuously push forward the traditional friendly cooperative relations between China and Zimbabwe. China is willing to work with African nations including Zimbabwe to push for in-depth development of the China-Zimbabwe relationship and the strategic partnership of a new type between China and Africa, so as to make greater contributions to peace, stability, prosperity and development in Africa.

President Mugabe fully agreed with Vice Premier Wang Yang. He expressed that Zimbabwe is looking forward to making new progress in its relations with China.

On the same day, Vice Premier Wang Yang held talks and met with Zimbabwean Vice President Joyce Mujuru and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai respectively, attending the signing ceremony of a number of cooperative agreements between the two countries.

Vice Premier Wang Yang arrived in Zimbabwe on May 21 for an official visit. On the day of his arrival, Wang held discussions with representatives of Chinese enterprises based in Zimbabwe and met with staff of the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe.