Online Reporter
Remarks by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe H.E. Zhou Ding at the Reception Marking the 99th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Liberation Army of China
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Chinese Embassy, on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army.
Allow me to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude—to all of you for your steadfast support, and to everyone who has long committed themselves to cementing the fraternal ties between China and Zimbabwe, as well as bolstering our military-to-military cooperation.
The past 99 years have witnessed an extraordinary journey of the PLA. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has fought relentlessly to secure China’s liberation, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and developmental interests, and has contributed to world peace and stability. It is – and always has been – a people’s army: of the people, by the people, for the people.
This noble revolutionary spirit transcends national boundaries and resonates deeply in Zimbabwe. Both our nations have made immense sacrifices in resisting foreign domination and pursuing national independence. China stood firmly alongside Zimbabwe throughout its arduous liberation struggle against colonial rule, offering not only diplomatic backing, weapons assistance, and professional military training, but above all, a people-centred revolutionary philosophy. This spirit is vividly captured in the Shona saying, “Simba rehove riri mumvura” (辛巴 瑞后维 锐锐 蒙夫拉)—“The strength of the fish comes from the water”—which perfectly illustrates the inseparable bond between the military and the people, like fish and water.
Today, as we celebrate this momentous occasion and our shared camaraderie, we pay tribute to the heroes of both nations—among them the visionary Zimbabwean revolutionary pioneer Herbert Chitepo, military commander Josiah Tongogara, and all the valiant martyrs and fighters who, inspired by Chairman Mao’s theory of people’s war, played a decisive role in securing the victory of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Dear friends,
We take great pride that our long—standing friendship remains as vigorous, solid, and constantly growing. As you may have observed in the short video just shown, I had the honour of accompanying His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa on his two visits to China in 2024 and 2025. During his 2024 trip to China, President Mnangagwa revisited the Nanjing Army Command College, where he had received military and political training in 1963—64. The profound personal bonds that President Mnangagwa and his fellow veterans have forged with China stand as a vivid and compelling testament to the fraternal military and state—to—state ties between our two nations.
On 28 January this year, H.E. Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping wrote a letter of reply to a group of Zimbabwe’s liberation war veterans. He commended the veterans for their contributions to Zimbabwe’s liberation, as well as for cultivating an enduring bond and camaraderie with China. He called on them to bring more young Africans on board in nurturing the China—Zimbabwe and China—Africa friendship.
As a follow-up to the exchange of correspondence between the Chinese President and the Zimbabwean veterans, we were glad to facilitate a visit earlier this month by Hon. Minister Monicah Mavhunga, together with a delegation of distinguished veterans, to China. During the visit, they retraced the revolutionary footsteps of their youth and those of our shared heroes. This trip represents our tribute to these veterans and our deep gratitude for their invaluable contributions not only to Zimbabwe’s independence, but also to the enduring friendship between our two nations.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please join me in a big round of applause for all the liberation veterans present here today, and for the heroic legacy they represent.
Dear friends,
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are both people’s armies, forged in revolutionary struggles and hardened by immense challenges. We take pride in the growing strategic coordination and practical cooperation between our two militaries—including training and logistics—which have tangibly boosted Zimbabwe’s military capacity.
The time—honoured fraternity between China and Zimbabwe transcends military engagement and security cooperation. Over the years, it has matured into a resilient, all—weather China—Zimbabwe community with a shared future, delivering fruitful outcomes across diverse sectors. Our political solidarity is fortified by frequent high—level interactions.
On the economic and trade front, China has long been Zimbabwe’s largest source of foreign direct investment and one of its most important trading partners. Growing Chinese investment and thriving bilateral trade have upgraded Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and expanded its industrial base, delivering remarkable improvements in power supply and transportation, and building the country into a regional manufacturing hub for steel, tiles, and soon cement and fertilisers — a transformation that plays a pivotal role in realising Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation goals.
China and Zimbabwe have also stood together in upholding multilateralism and safeguarding international fairness and justice. China supported Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
At a time when unilateralism and hegemonism are resurging globally, our shared revolutionary legacy continues to inspire us to uphold equity and justice and build a world that lives up to the sacrifices of our revolutionary predecessors. Faced with complex and evolving global challenges, China is committed to working with Zimbabwe and all peace-loving nations to advance a just, orderly multipolar world and promote inclusive, universally beneficial economic globalization.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Rooted in profound revolutionary camaraderie, consolidated by equality and mutual respect, and energized by win-win cooperation, our partnership will grow stronger and stronger. As Zimbabwe advances its NDS2 and Vision 2030, China will remain its most reliable and steadfast partner — today, tomorrow and always.
Thank you. Tatenda. Siyaboga!
