China's delegation to the next meeting of the Kimberley Process will back Zimbabwe and urge KP members to allow exports of the country's diamonds, China's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Xin Shunkang, said this week.

According to a report in the state-run Herald newspaper, Xin visited the Nechirasika plant of Anjin Investments, a Chinese company that is mining diamonds in the controversial Marange diamond fields.

"We will work together because we want both countries to benefit," Xin said, adding that when next visited the Marange region he expected to see a "changed picture."

"Anjin has done a lot in terms of corporate responsibility," he said.

Last week, the Voice of the People news site reported that Anjin employees were working with the Zimbabwean military to forcibly evict villagers from their homes near the diamond fields. The villagers had refused to relocated until each family received $50,000 in compensation.

Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu praised Anjin for "improving the livelihood of [the Zimbabwean] people employed" at its operations. According to the Herald, Anjin has built 400 five-room houses for its workers, and work is progressing on two schools and a clinic.

Mpofu also promised to grant more mining space to Anjin if the supply of diamonds at the company's current license runs out.