Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived in Beijing April 2, for an official four-day state visit where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bulawayo24 News reported. China has been a strong ally of Zimbabwe since its liberation struggle in the 1970s — when China provided arms and training for troops — and now provides greater economic and political support to the country. China will likely continue to support a peaceful transition of power from former President Robert Mugabe, hoping to protect its many investments in the country over the past decades.