Zimbabwe's military coup: China insists army chief's visit is normal
- The Republic of China has described Zimbabwe army chief's visit to the country as a 'normal military exchange'
- Zimbabwe's army chief visited China just last week before the military takeover on Wednesday, November 15
- Follow the live updates of situation in Zimbabwe as Legit.ng is committed to bringing you every details as events unfold
After Zimbabwe military seem to have taken control of the country, China on Wednesday, November 15, said that Zimbabwe military chief, Constantino Chiwenga's visit to the country on Friday, November 10, was a normal military visit.
Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, told a daily news briefing that China is closely watching the situation in Zimbabwe and hopes that relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs.
READ ALSO: Top 15 unforgettable quotes credited to Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwe’s military took control targeting “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe but gave assurances on national television that the 93-year-old leader and his family were “safe and sound”.
When asked if Chiwenga briefed Chinese officials on any plans for a military takeover in Zimbabwe, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that the Defense Ministry had handled arrangements for the visit and he was "not aware of the details," ABC news reports.
Geng said: "What I can tell you is that his visit was a normal military exchange as agreed by the two countries."
“As a country that is friendly with Zimbabwe, we are paying close attention to developments of the situation in Zimbabwe.”
“Maintaining peaceful and stable development accords with the fundamental interests of Zimbabwe and regional countries, and is the common desire of the international community.
China has been a resolute supporter of Zimbabwean president despite rising international criticism over his authoritarian rule and human rights violations.
Military ties between the two countries date from Chinese support for Zimbabwe's armed struggle against white minority rule in the 1970s.
Mugabe and his family also have close ties to the Chinese special administrative region of Hong Kong, where they were involved in a legal case involving a luxury property and his daughter Bona was a university student.
In a previous report by Legit.ng, the Zimbabwean military has taken over the country's capital, Harare, and no less than three explosions were reported in the city by morning of Wednesday, November 15.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
President Mugabe and his wife have reportedly been detained by the military in a 'bloodless transition' of power - and the country's deposed vice-president has returned from exile.
Army boss, Major Gen SB Moyo, claimed to have stepped in to calm political tensions over 93-year-old President Mugabe’s possible successor.
Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? - on Legit.ng TV.
Source: Legit.ng
