China said on Wednesday that it respects Robert Mugabe's decision to resign as Zimbabwe's president, a week after the African country's army and Mugabe's former political allies moved to end his four decades of rule.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the remark during a regular press briefing, adding that China's policy toward Zimbabwe would not change.
Zimbabwe and China have been trading over the years under what the southern African nation calls a Look East Policy after it was shunned by the West following accusations of human rights abuses and election rigging.
Mugabe stepped down on Tuesday at a time parliament was attempting to impeach the 93 year old former liberation fighter, who has presided over an almost comatose economy.