‘You, too, can be like China’

After serving as China’s chief diplomat in Zimbabwe since 2012, Ambassador Lin Lin winds up his tour of duty this week. Our Chief Reporter Kuda Bwititi spoke to Ambassador Lin on his mission and the Asian giant’s relations with Harare, among other issues. Below are excerpts of that conversation.
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Q: How do you describe your tenure as China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe?
A: I have quite enjoyed my stay here. Zimbabwe is a blessed country. It has amazing natural beauty and an enjoyable climate.
The Zimbabwean people are friendly, kind, talented and hard-working. The more I get to know about this country, the more passion and love I feel for it.
And the most important thing is that, our two countries are good friends, good partners and good brothers, which makes my job here much easier. Therefore, I can say that my tenure here has been pleasant and successful.

Q: What have been the high points?
A: Our bilateral relations have undergone a period of great improvement.
The first big moment that comes to my mind is President Mugabe’s successful state visit to China in August 2014. During the visit, the two Presidents reached important consensus and pointed out the direction for the further development of the bilateral ties.
This visit was very fruitful in promoting both political trust and pragmatic co-operation, during which nine co-operation documents were signed.

Now the two sides are joining hands in implementing the outcome of this visit. That is why since the beginning of this year, Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Ming and many other working groups of different ministries of China have visited Zimbabwe.

Hon Vice-President Mnangagwa also paid a successful and fruitful visit to China in July this year. Hon Madzongwe, President of the Senate, is now in China for a friendly visit. Many Cabinet ministers of Zimbabwe visit China to promote bilateral co-operation or to exchange experience on governance every year.

I am also glad to see that our bilateral trade has reached a record high of US$1,24 billion in 2014, more than doubling that of 2010.
To support Zimbabwe’s efforts of national construction, in the past 10 years, China has provided about US$1,5 billion worth of preferential, concessionary and commercial loans to Zimbabwe.

There has been a lot of breakthrough in major projects, such as the Kariba South Hydro Power Station expansion, NetOne broadband expansion and the Victoria Falls International Airport expansion.

China is going to install 500 boreholes in Zimbabwe. So far, 200 of these have already been installed while the remaining 300 will be installed in the next two years.

There are many other projects such as the US$144 million Harare water project, the Mahusekwa Hospital which the Chinese have constructed, and some primary and secondary schools we have built.
The list is endless.

People-to-people exchanges have also been fruitful. In recent years, the number of Zimbabwean students in China has increased rapidly.
According to incomplete statistics, in 2011, 153 Zimbabwean students went to study in China. In 2014, the number reached 588.
This year, over 100 Zimbabwean students went to study in China, funded by scholarships from the Chinese side.

The largest and best Chinese art troupes that ever came to Zimbabwe gave the “Night of Beijing” performance at Celebration Centre last year.
The Chinese Tibet Art Troupe chose Zimbabwe as its first stop during their first visit to Africa last year. Chinese artists shine on the stages of Hifa.

There are so many unforgettable memories in the past three years, which are precious parts of my diplomatic career and my life.

Q: What have been the lowest points?
A: The bilateral relations are so good that I don’t think there are any lowest points for me. Towards the end of my term in Zimbabwe, I am now even more confident in our bilateral relations than (when) I first came here. With the efforts from both sides, our relationship will only get better and better.

Q: Trade between Zimbabwe and China has exceeded US$1 billion. Is there scope for increasing this trade and if so, how do you evaluate these prospects?
A: As I said earlier, our bilateral trade reached US$1,24 billion in 2014. The bilateral trade is in Zimbabwe’s favour as China’s exports to Zimbabwe are US$400 million while imports from Zimbabwe are US$840 million.
Tobacco and cotton account for over 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s export to China, while mechanical and electrical products account for about 60 percent of China’s export to Zimbabwe.

The two sides are exploring how to unlock potential areas of trade, such as exporting Zimbabwe’s agricultural products to China.
As Zimbabwe is progressing in implementing Zim-Asset, China is looking forward to importing more value-added products other than tobacco and cotton.

We hope that Zimbabwe will soon increase the diversity of its exports to China.

Q: We understand President Xi Jinping will visit Southern Africa under the auspices of the Forum on China Africa Co-operation. What is the significance of this?
A: For the last 15 years, with the joint efforts of China and Africa, the Focac has not only played an important role in developing the African continent, but also in driving other major countries to put more investment in and pay more attention to Africa.
The Sixth Ministerial Meeting of Focac in South Africa on December 4-5 this year will be upgraded to a Summit. During this Summit, China and Africa will, in accordance with the needs of Africa, explore co-operation in such new areas as speeding up the industrialisation of Africa, public health, peace and security, as well as co-operation in traditional areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, education, science and technology.

The Chinese Prime Minister has also put forward the idea for co-operation in major areas such as roads and railways. Modernising Africa’s industrialisation is also important.

It is believed that this summit will be a historic event featuring solidarity, co-operation, mutual benefit and win-win results between China and Africa.

The significance of this summit is that this will be the first time that the Focac summit will be held in Africa, so that makes this meeting special.
Like the previous Focac meetings every three years, the Chinese will put measures to enhance further co-operation. So, every African country will benefit from this summit.

As China’s all-weather friend and one of the closest partners in Africa, Zimbabwe is sure to benefit from this important occasion. So in a bilateral way, there will be something new for Zimbabwe to add to the so-called mega deals signed between Zimbabwe and China.

Q: Do you think enough is being done to implement the mega deals signed between Zimbabwe and China? Are you satisfied with implementation?
A: China takes the deals it has signed very seriously, and always does what it can to ensure that the agreements follow through.
Agreements between China and Zimbabwe such as the NetOne Network Expansion Phase II Project, the mutual exemption for diplomatic and service passports, and provision of emergency food donation to the Zimbabwean side, have been successfully implemented.
Meanwhile, some of the documents that were signed between relevant authorities or enterprises are MOUs that demonstrate the willingness of both sides to co-operate in such areas and are the first but necessary step of the future co-operation.

The two sides are steadily pushing forward, including carrying out feasibility studies and negotiating the terms of co-operation.
I am glad to see that many projects are progressing well and we can expect to see more good results in the near future.

Q: What more needs to be done?
A: In order for the implementation process to go on smoothly, both sides will continue to negotiate on an equal, friendly and mutually beneficial basis, enhance efficiency and step up exchanges.

We are happy that the Zimbabwean Government is working hard to build a better investment environment in Zimbabwe.
Next month, a Vice-Minister from the Ministry of Commerce of China will visit Zimbabwe to discuss with the Zimbabwean side the preparations for the Summit.

It will be to follow-up on progress between our two countries, particularly the projects that have been in the pipeline, such as Hwange 7 and 8 and other projects that are important to the two countries.

Q: What should be done to address Zimbabwe’s economic
challenges?
A: I noted that President Mugabe said, during his State of the Nation Address, that overall economic performance, to date, indicates modest growth, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, mining, tourism, construction and telecommunications.

I also noted that before he presented the 2015 Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review, Finance Minister Chinamasa said Zimbabwe’s economic prospects were bright, and he was satisfied with the progress that was made to restore the economy back on track.

President Mugabe and the Zimbabwean Government are working hard to restore confidence in the economy and have put forward a lot of measures, including Zim-Asset, the 10-point Economic Growth Plan and some adjustments and clarification of related laws and regulations.
The Zimbabwean Government has also committed itself to undertaking fiscal policy reforms by eliminating primary fiscal deficits, reducing Government’s wage bill and restoring the financial sector by clearing bad loans.

I hope that these measures can be successfully implemented, and China is willing to offer its support for these efforts.
Since the end of last year, a number of business delegations from Europe and the US have visited Zimbabwe to explore co-operation potential.
Some major international financial institutions have also shown confidence and interest in co-operating with Zimbabwe.

I am glad to see that more countries and organisations have joined China in supporting Zimbabwe’s economic revival.

Q: What can Zimbabwe learn from China’s growth trajectory?
A: In discussions that we have about the economic prospects of Zimbabwe and with business delegations that come here, I always say that what we find here in Zimbabwe is actually very similar to what we had in China 30 years back.

We think that Zimbabwe maybe at the same stage of China some 30 years back when we started our reform and opening up. So, there is great potential for development and also a strong desire by Government and people for achieving better.

How Zimbabwe will go through this process and achieve what China has achieved depends on what efforts you will make and how you will implement those blueprints.
We did not have sufficient infrastructure in China and the Government put a lot to develop infrastructure. Zimbabwe is also trying to get investment in different infrastructure like power, roads, water supply, and housing.
This is the right way to go.

Q: There are fears that the economic recession in China might threaten investments in Africa. What is your comment?
A: Let me talk about the current economic situation of China.
As China is pushing forward economic reforms and the upgrade of its economic structure, it recorded seven percent growth during the first half of this year.

Some people are worrying again about the slowdown of the Chinese economy and its impact on the global economy, even China’s investments in Africa or Zimbabwe.

I have to say that the worries are not necessary. As Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pointed out last week at the Summer Davos Forum, this seven percent growth was not an easy achievement amid a slowing world economy, because we are talking about a US$10 trillion economy, for which seven percent growth actually generates more increase in volume than the double-digit growth in the past.
And the seven percent growth is among the highest of the world’s major economies.
China still contributed around 30 percent to world economic growth during the first half of 2015.
The Chinese government is capable of dealing with the consequences of growth sliding out of reasonable range and the Chinese economy will not have a “hard landing”, as imports of commodities have grown in volume, and China’s FDI will also continue to grow at a fast pace.
The Chinese economy is in the state of a new normal.
It is going through a transition, with traditional drivers being replaced by new ones. The extensive model of growth in the manufacturing sector is giving way to more intensive production. And over-reliance on investment is abandoned for greater balance between consumption and investment.
This is a painful and challenging process. Yet, China is confident that it will be able to overcome the difficulties, and bring about a better future for the Chinese economy and the world.
I believe that as the Zimbabwean Government is carrying out a raft of measures to improve the business environment, more Chinese investors will come and more progress will be made in our two countries’ win-win co-operation.

Q: Some critics say China wants to colonise Africa. Your comment?
A: That is nonsense. No one should believe that. China used to be a colony itself and we know how it is to be a colony. The principle that we have in our foreign policy is mutual respect and equality. So, in Africa, we simply take African people as our brothers and partners.
Anything that we do in Africa, we get approval from the Africans. We don’t impose anything like what colonialists used to do.
There is no African government that has accused China of colonising it, but it’s the views of those who have ulterior motives who spread those accusations against China.
What we are trying to do is to help Africa achieve development. We consider ourselves as a developing country, and what we are trying to achieve is win-win and mutually beneficial co-operation with African countries.
Most African countries have benefited a lot through co-operation with China.

Q: Some Chinese here have been involved in misunderstandings over working conditions.
A: My government always asks those who are coming to invest to respect local people and the law, and to help in community development.
Most of the Chinese companies that are here keep to this, but there are a few companies or employers who abuse their workers and the local people. But these are isolated incidents and we do not condone that.

We always urge those who are affected with such issues to come and complain not only to the appropriate places such as the police, but also to the Chinese Embassy so that we can record it.