Observers looking ahead to Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to Zimbabwe later this week are suggesting a number of new assistance programs are likely to be announced as part of his trip.

Though not revealing any details, China's ambassdor to Zimbabwe says Xi Jinping's time in China is going to "raise bilateral relations to a new high."

Zimbabwe is in critical need of both cash and access to capital, as the country has been struggling with hyper-inflation and international sanctions for years.

Following his time in China, Xi Jinping will then head next door into South Africa to chair the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation set to be held this year in Johannesburg.

For more on the Chinese President's time in Africa, CRI's Brian Kopczynski spoke earlier with Doctor David Dorward, former Director of the African Research Institute at La Trobe University in Australia.

Doctor David Dorward, former director of the African Research Institute with La Trobe University in Australia, speaking with CRI's Brian Kopczynski.