Reacting to the reports which cast doubt on the authenticity of the bilateral relations, the ambassador said China values its long-standing friendship with Zimbabwe and would not waver in supporting the southern African nation.
"It is understandable that the Zimbabwean people paid close attention to the visits, but there is no ground to doubt China's sincerity on the long-lasting traditional friendship between the two countries," Yuan told Xinhua.
He said the Chinese government valued Zimbabwe's friendship and had always supported the Zimbabwean government and its people in international affairs by speaking for the southern African nation at various meetings of the United Nations Security Council.
"Despite the changes in the international scenario, the friendly relations between the two countries have remained the same all the time," the ambassador said.
Changing circumstances would not affect the further development of bilateral relations between the two nations, he said, and called for more substantial work to be done to further strengthen the ties.
Yuan said the strengthening of the relations could be seen through the exchange visits of high-ranking officials over the past few years, with former Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, having visited Zimbabwe, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National people's Congress, Wu Bangguo having visited the country in 2004.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Vice President Joice Mujuru visited the Asian nation in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
During the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Forum Co-operation in November last year, President Mugabe and President Hu Jintao held talks which culminated in a commitment by the two sides to further strengthen bilateral relations, Yuan said.
"And now, the two countries are actively implementing the plans set by the leaders to promote co-operation in various fields in a sustainable way," he said.
Relations between Zimbabwe and China date back to the days of the liberation struggle when the Asian nation provided ammunition and training to Zimbabwe's liberation war fighters. ' Xinhua-New Ziana.
