Chinese vice premier Wang Yang arrived in Zimbabwe on Tuesday on a business visit praising Beijing's ties with the southern African country.

"Business co-operation is an important part of our friendly relations," Wang told reporters at Harare international airport where he was received by Vice President Joice Mujuru.

He said business relations "is the stabiliser of our friendly relations" with Zimbabwe.

Wang is set to meet long ruling President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in separate meetings on Wednesday.

China has various business interests in Zimbabwe in include mining, agriculture and construction.

A Chinese mining company, Anjin is one of the few companies that mine diamonds at the controversial Chiadzwa diamond area in the eastern part of the country.

Another Chinese company constructed a $98 million dollar defence college for Zimbabwe while a $150 million loan was provided to the country for the refurbishment of the Victoria Falls airport.

Last month Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said African countries must benefit from Chinese investment and not be exploited.

"Why are we not making sure the engagement with China is on our terms, as Africans? Labour, skills, technology, value addition," he said at a China-Africa conference in South Africa.

"The Chinese must come to Africa on African terms. The terms that will allow the Chinese to make money but the terms that will also allow Africa to develop, win-win. China wins, Africa wins."