Zimbabwe's Vice President Joice Mujuru has said the last two and a half years have been seen an increase in economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and the People's Republic of China.

Speaking at a meeting she held with the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yuan Nansheng, Mujuru said Zimbabwe and China have a history of excellent political ties, according to ZBC News on Thursday.

She also noted that cooperation between the two countries in the mining sector is bearing fruit with some Zimbabweans establishing joint ventures with Chinese entrepreneurs adding that it is now time to increase mining output.

Mujuru implored the Chinese government to ensure that the joint venture for the expansion of the Victoria Falls runway to cater for large bodied aircraft is finished in time for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Speaking at the same occasion, Yuan noted that Zimbabwe's economy is growing at a time when most African nations are feeling the effects of the global financial crisis.

Yuan, who has been in the country since 2006, has been redeployed and assumes duty in Surinam, South America.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2009)