An unfortunate event happened in mid-May that saw a Zimbabwe politician call for the mass deportation of Chinese from the country.

Willias Madzimure of the opposition People's Democratic Party, argued in an editorial piece that Chinese nationals have contributed nothing of value except to aid a corrupt and repressive political system while looting away Zimbabwe's national resources.

He went further to call on all Zimbabweans and other international stakeholders to come together and call for the Chinese "to exit our country immediately."

Madzimure based his archaic and hollow campaign on the claim that Beijing was "bleeding" Zimbabwe's economy by supporting President Robert Mugabe, saying that under Mugabe, Zimbabwe was now struggling with a cash shortage, high unemployment and slow economic growth.

It is an indisputable fact that China is a close friend of Zimbabwe. This has been evidenced through economic, social and political ties that have seen the two countries reap massive benefits. This was evident in December when President Xi Jinping toured the country. Indeed, Xi appreciated the fact that despite the vast distance between China and Zimbabwe, the two countries have maintained a traditional friendship that is deep and firm.

It is ironic for a leader of Madzimure's stature to accuse China of bleeding Zimbabweans when during the national liberation struggle in Zimbabwe, it was the Chinese people who steadfastly stood behind them "as comrades in arms."

China-Zimbabwe relations are as old as 36 years. Over this period, the two countries have treated each other as equals. At the same time, they have supported each other for win-win cooperation. This has indeed been the prime guide of the flourishing friendship.

Since diplomatic relations were forged in April 1980, China has emerged as one of Zimbabwe's most important trading partners. Currently, China is the country's biggest source of investment. The main projects so far funded and undertaken by China include the expansion of the Victoria Falls Airport and Kariba Hydropower Station. Besides these, China has also played a pivotal role in the telecom transformation of Tel One. All these have raised Zimbabwe's profile as an investment hub.

Today, Kariba Hydropower Station supplies 1,626 megawatts of electricity to parts of both Zambia and Zimbabwe. It generates 6,400 gigawatt-hours per annum. While Zambia and Zimbabwe each have their own power stations, the south station belonging to Zimbabwe has a total of 666 megawatts. But with China putting in more than $316 million to upgrade Zimbabwe's Kariba, the capacity will increase to 1,050 megawatts, promising an affordable and reliable power source.

It is worth noting that China's friendship with Zimbabwe has not been confined to the commercial arena only. There have been a number of Chinese companies and charities that are taking part in the social welfare of the Zimbabweans through corporate social responsibility. One notable group has been a group of Chinese mothers, who refers to themselves as "Love of Africa" and has tasked itself with taking care of orphans.

These extraordinary developments depict the win-win friendship, which the opposition party's leader seems to have forgotten while he was writing the editorial. While it is his right to write such, it is imperative for African leaders to be cautious with what they share with the public, and their possible consequences. Lest we forget that it is through such carelessness that the media lit a fire in Rwanda in 1994, leading to one of the world's worst genocides in which more than a million people died.

Such a problem may not be confined in Zimbabwe alone. Other African countries, too, may have leaders who may pose a danger to the thriving China-Africa friendship. Where there is tension, it is important for leaders to call for dialogue between concerned parties, for China and African countries need to synergize their development strategies, translate their relative economic advantages into tangible outcomes of cooperation. Importantly, China and its African friends need to continue understanding and supporting each other on issues involving their core interests. It cannot be doubted that China firmly supports African countries' efforts to safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests.

Perhaps the long-lasting solution to misunderstandings emanating from such politicians is to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, enhance cooperation in education, culture, health, tourism, youth, think-tanks and media so as to consolidate public support.

The author is a journalist on African issues based in Nairobi, Kenya. mkapchanga@gmail.com