China has once again reaffirmed its strong support for Zimbabwe, calling for the immediate and unconditional removal of Western sanctions that it described as “illegal and unjust.”
Addressing a regular press briefing in Beijing this Monday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said a few Western countries had imposed unilateral measures that “severely undermine Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, infringe on its people’s right to development, and harm international fairness and justice.”
“This typical act of hegemonism disrupts Southern Africa’s effort to deepen cooperation and pursue common development,” Guo said. “China, as always, firmly supports Zimbabwe in opposing external interference and keeping to its own development path.”
His remarks came on the back of Zimbabwe’s commemoration of the Southern African Development Community Anti-Sanctions Day, held annually on October 22 since the 2019 SADC Summit decision to rally regional solidarity against the embargo. Guo reiterated that Beijing stands ready to work with African countries and the broader international community to help Zimbabwe “defend its independence and sovereignty, uphold stability, and achieve development.”
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The spokesperson’s comments came as part of a wide-ranging briefing that touched on other major global issues, including China’s strengthening partnerships in the Middle East.
Guo confirmed that Vice President Han Zheng will visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar this week for high-level talks and to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha. He said the visit would “inject fresh impetus into global social development” and promote cooperation across Asia and the Arab world.
Guo also highlighted the growing international support for President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, which seeks to make the global order “more just and equitable.” He said more than 140 countries and international organizations had already expressed support, describing the initiative as a “powerful statement of multilateralism and solidarity” at a time of geopolitical fragmentation.
The press conference also saw Beijing reaffirm its position on issues ranging from China-U.S. trade consultations and South China Sea tensions to Taiwan, emphasizing dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and opposition to unilateralism as key pillars of China’s diplomacy.
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