A Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official pledged on Tuesday to advance the friendly relationship with Zimbabwe.

"We will encourage and facilitate more Chinese companies to seek development in Zimbabwe," said Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Zhou told a delegation of the Zimbabwe Africa National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) that China would offer help for the country.

The Zimbabwe ruling party's delegation, headed by Defense Minister Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, was here on a visit at the invitation of the CPC from June 22 to July 4.

As to party-to-party relations, Zhou said the CPC was ready to increase exchanges and cooperation with ZANU-PF.

"We sincerely hope to see stability in Zimbabwe, and hope the Zimbabwe people constantly improve their livelihood," Zhou said.

Mnangagwa reiterated Zimbabwe's support to China on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and human rights, and applauded China's support for his country over the years.

Fruitful cooperation with China has benefited the Zimbabwean people in the past, Mnangagwa said, adding there is still great potentials for bilateral cooperation in agriculture and other fields

He expressed the hope that more Chinese firms would invest in his country.

Source: Xinhua