President Mnangagwa to Attend 80th Anniversary of China’s WWII Victory

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to arrive in China this Monday to attend events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the broader World Anti-Fascist War. The main commemoration is scheduled for Wednesday in Beijing.

This visit wraps up a busy August for the Zimbabwean leader, who has logged extensive international travel hours in recent weeks.

On August 20, President Mnangagwa visited Tokyo, Japan, where he met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). Their discussions reportedly focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, health, mining, technology, and investment, with references to collaborative milestones like Zimbabwe’s satellite project, ZIMSAT-1.

Just days ago, Mnangagwa was in Vatican City for an audience with Pope Leo XIV. The two leaders discussed the Catholic Church’s enduring contributions to Zimbabwe’s health, education, and social services sectors, as well as global issues of peace and justice.

Despite having initially pledged to cut back on international travel during the early days of his presidency, the 82-year-old leader is now in East Asia again. His current visit to China follows an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, Abigail Shoniwa, Mnangagwa is among a select group of African leaders attending the high-level commemorations. State media reports indicate that the Zimbabwean President will join other dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, at Tiananmen Square for a large-scale military parade and associated events.

The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which spanned from 1931 to 1945, marked the longest and earliest front of the global anti-fascist struggle. China’s National People’s Congress officially designated September 3 as Victory Day in 2014. The following year, Beijing held its first grand parade at Tiananmen Square to mark the occasion.

While in China, Mnangagwa is expected to hold one-on-one talks with President Xi, focusing on strengthening cooperation in multiple sectors. He is also scheduled to engage with executives from companies investing in Zimbabwe.

China remains Zimbabwe’s largest investor, with total investments exceeding US$4.4 billion. In 2024 alone, trade between the two countries reached US$3.8 billion — a 24% increase from the previous year. Recent Chinese-backed infrastructure projects include the expansion of Hwange Units 7 and 8, the Kariba South Hydro Power Station, and upgrades to both Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Victoria Falls International Airports.

Just last month, President Mnangagwa oversaw the signing of a US$55 million Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement with China, reinforcing the growing partnership between Harare and Beijing.