China vows Zimbabwe friendship

China's friendly policy toward Zimbabwe will not change, and Robert Mugabe remains "a good friend of Chinese people" despite of his resignation from the presidential post, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday.

His comment followed the resignation of Mugabe, which was announced by Zimbabwean Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda on Tuesday during a joint sitting of Senate and National Assembly that was debating his impeachment motion.

"China respects Mr Mugabe's decision of resignation, and he is still a good friend of Chinese people," Lu said.

In his resignation letter, Mugabe said: "I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, in terms of Section 96 sub section 1 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe hereby formally tender my resignation as the President of Zimbabwe with immediate effect."

The resignation came two days after the ruling Zanu-PF party deposed Mugabe as leader, and also recalled him from government over a litany of charges.

Noting that Mugabe has made historic contributions to the national independence and revolution of Zimbabwe, Lu said Mugabe has long been dedicated to developing the friendship between China and Zimbabwe as well as the whole Africa.

China sticks to the principle of no interference to other countries' internal affairs, Lu said, adding that other countries should also not interfere to the internal affairs.

"We would like to continue to stick to the principle of equality, mutual benefits and win-win cooperation, proactively enhance exchanges and cooperation with Zimbabwe, and push the China-Zimbabwe friendly relations to a new stage," he said.

The stability and development of Zimbabwe is in line with the core interests of Zimbabwean people, and it is also the joint expectation of the region as well as international community, he added.

As a good friend of Zimbabwe, China appreciates the efforts of relevant parties to focus on the long-term and fundamental interests of the country, uphold the legal framework, and properly handle the issues through coordination, Lu said, while expressing confidence toward Zimbabwean people's ability to keep stable politics and maintain national development.

The China-Zimbabwe traditional friendship has stood the test of time and the changes of global situation, Lu said, adding that the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries has been enhanced in all areas, bringing real benefits for the two sides, especially for Zimbabwean people.

Noting that Chin attaches great importance to developing relations with Zimbabwe, the spokesman said that China would like to make joint efforts with all parties in Zimbabwe to push the bilateral friendship and enhance cooperation in all areas.

Zimbabwe former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa persuaded Mugabe to resign and said he will not return to Zimbabwe until he is satisfied that his personal security is guaranteed.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Mnangagwa confirmed that he had spoken with Mugabe on Monday. He called on Mugabe to resign in line with the wishes of the people who demanded his resignation as they demonstrated at the weekend in support of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces who took over government operations last Tuesday.

He said he had told Mugabe that the current political and constitutional crisis in the country was not a matter between the two of them but between the people of Zimbabwe and Mugabe.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn