HARARE, Zimbabwe — China’s foreign minister has arrived in Zimbabwe Saturday as part of a five-nation tour of Africa that seeks to promote the Asian giant's economic and political interests on the continent. Wang Yi is set to visit a Zimbabwe tobacco farm and meet with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who will suspend his three-week annual leave to meet the Chinese leader. China's foreign minister often makes an African tour at the beginning of the year to emphasize the importance that Beijing places on the continent. Like in much of Africa, China has a strong presence in Zimbabwe, with investments spanning from energy to agriculture, mining and trade in wildlife. With Zimbabwe's economy in a downward spiral, some analysts say that Wang will, behind closed doors, urge Zimbabwean leaders to improve the country's economic performance and to honor their debt repayments to China.

Source: International New York Times January 11, 2020 14:15 UTC