The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), one of Zimbabwe's largest business bodies, on Wednesday commended China for the role it played in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle and its continued support for the country which is considered anathema by the West.

The ZNCC president, Luxon Zembe, made the remarks when meeting with a visiting Chinese delegation which is in the country to promote the Chinese Export Commodities Fair to be held in China in October.

"Zimbabwe and China have very good historical relations which date back to the liberation struggle. We would not be where we are had it not been of the cordial relations with China," said Zembe.

"China did not only support us during the struggle but has become our strategic trading partner. When the country was having bad trade relations with the West, China was there to support Zimbabwe."

He assured the Chinese delegation that the ZNCC would do its best to support trade between the two countries.

He expressed optimism that China would play a significant role in the country's economic recovery despite the hyperinflation and severe brain drain Zimbabwe is facing.

"We are confident that this country's economy will turn around and take its position as the jewel of Africa," he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, the deputy director of China Foreign Trade Center, Xu Bing, said bilateral relations between the two countries had improved significantly.

"Trade volumes between China and Zimbabwe in 2003 reached 197 million US dollars, increasing by 29 percent," said Xu.

He added that the number of Zimbabwean trading partners at the Chinese Export Commodities Fair had increased from three people 17 years ago to 23 in April this year, realizing a profit of 1.4 million US dollars.

The ZNCC is expected to organize a trade mission to China to coincide with the 96th Chinese Export Commodities Fair, the biggest biannual fair in that country, to be held in Guangzhou in October.

Source: Xinhua