China and Zimbabwe ink new economic deal

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Chinese leader Hu Jintao signed an agreement on economic co-operation on Tuesday, building on ties at a time the debt-laden, isolated African state is seeking new sources of aid.

Neither side gave details of the economic and technical co-operation agreement and other pacts on the provision of computer equipment and co-operation between the two countries' justice departments.

Mugabe's spokesperson has said the government was exploring lines of credit with countries such as China as it grapples with triple-digit inflation, an unemployment rate above 70 percent and about $4,5-billion (about R30-billion) in foreign debt.

"You have made major contributions to the friendly relations between our two countries ... I stand ready to have an in-depth exchange of views with your excellency on our bilateral relations," Hu said at the start of their meeting.