China on Tuesday said it is considering providing emergency humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a press conference that the aid would include grain.

Liu said China, like other countries in the world, is deeply concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe.

"China is convinced that dialogue and negotiation is the only correct solution to solve the problem."

Zimbabwe's ruling party ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) hammered out a power-sharing deal on Sept. 15. Further progress was made when the country's three main political parties reached agreement in Nov. on the text of Constitutional Amendment Number 19 Bill, which gave legal effect to key provisions contained in September's political agreement.

"We sincerely hope the parties concerned will put the interest of the nation and Zimbabwe's people first and forge a unity government soon to lead the country out of difficulties," Liu said.

Zimbabwe is a friendly nation to China and the two peoples cherish a traditional friendship, Liu added.

China supported mediation efforts by the African side and would work with the international community to continue helping and supporting Zimbabwe to maintain its national stability and unity as well as recover its economy, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2008)