On January 31, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa, the Zimbabwean government spokeperson and Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, issued a statement on behalf of the government to express appreciation of China’s effective measures in mitigating the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

The statement said that the Government of Zimbabwe expresses its solidarity with the people in China following the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the epidemic and wish all patients a speedy recovery.

The statement noted that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government has taken swift and robust measures to protect not only its own citizens but also those around the world. We are pleased to note the good progress achieved so far and commend China for its deep commitment to openness, transparency, and international cooperation. In the face of this demanding test, China has shown an admirable sense of responsibility and global leadership, which has been widely recognized by the WHO and the international community at large.

The statement emphasizes that in its five thousand years of history, the great Chinese people, with their outstanding bravery and wisdom, conquered all kinds of challenges. Each time, it moved itself and our shared human community forward by a big step. We are fully confident the indomitable Chinese nation, led by President Xi Jinping and the CPC, will win the battle against the virus and push forward the frontier of human knowledge. The Zimbabwean Government values its traditional friendship with China. It stands ready to assist China in this fight and continue to strengthen the ties between the two peoples in various fields to the benefit of both countries.