The people of Zimbabwe are currently rejoicing over Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, branding him a 'savior' who will save  the country's faltering economy by bringing in million of dollars in investments.

Although there have been mixed reactions over Xi's visit, many people have expressed hope that the Chinese leader would pump in new investments and help the country's ailing economy.

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Zimbabweans are expecting to see the mega deals signed by Harare and China trickle down to the people in the grassroots and eventually change their lives for the better.

Huang Ping, Chinese Ambassador to Harare, said China pumped in more than $600 million into the country in 2013, making it the biggest foreign investor in the nation, so far.

Over the past decade, Zimbabwe has turned to China for help in its Look East policy as the West shut its doors on Harare through sanctions.

Miserable Economy

Zimbabwe has been struggling with its miserable  economy characterized by high unemployment rate, mass company closures, layoffs, food shortages and low liquidity.

With so much financial hardships, many Zimbabweans are hoping that President Xi's visit isn't just a symbolic tour but a 'serious and sincere' effort to help them change their lives for the better.

Observers said that with the 'strong' economic delegation accompanying Xi in his visit, it seems that China is ready to help revive the nation's hard up economy.

President Xi's Visit Critics

Some critics of President Xi's visit say the economic revival the people of Zimbabwe hope for will not happen, adding that the relationship between Zimbabwe and China is tilted in China's favor.

Japhet Moyo, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, dismissed Xi's visit as merely a 'show.' He claims Zimbabweans have not benefitted from the economic relations between the two countries.

Moyo said their labor group conducted a study on the trade relations between the two countries and what it brought to the population. Mayo said the study did not indicate any benefit at all for the Zimbabweans.

He said that the only thing the Chinese brought into their country was 'unfavorable working conditions.'

In Defense Of China

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president David Norupiri defended China and said both Harare and Beijing are in a balanced economic relationship.

"Zimbabwe's economy will not remain the same after Mr. Xi's visit," he emphasized.

"It shows that the Chinese government is seeing a brighter future for Zimbabwe and they are showing confidence in the economy."

"We have to cooperate and make the doing of business easier so that we don't block this investment. Normally if the Chinese President comes with his team they mean business. This is a win-win relationship," says Norupiri.

TagsZimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Chamber Of Commerce, Chinese President Xi Jinping Zimbabwe, China-Zimbabwe, Xi Jinpingn Africa Tour