By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent a solidarity message to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping regarding COVID-19.

The disease which has since been renamed the Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) but was in the past called coronavirus has killed over 1500 people in mainland China according to media reports. However, only 3 deaths were recorded outside China in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan.

The message which was released by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services is dated the 31st of January 2020, although it was publicised on Friday.

Read the solidarity statement:

My Dear Brother, Comrade and Friend, I wish to express my solidarity and that Of the Government and Of the Republic Zimbabwe with the Government and People Of the Republic of China at this difficult time that your country is faced with coronavirus epidemic.

Allow me to acknowledge with satisfaction, the swift response taken by your government to contain and eradicate the coronavirus resulting in minimum loss of life.

My Dear Brother. I wish to reiterate my government’s full support to your endeavours in mitigating and eradicating the epidemic and stand ready to assist in our modest way. In addition, we take solace in the fact that 2020 being the year of the rat, China will continue to prosper.

My Dear Brother, Comrade and Friend, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE