Online Reporter
Don Makubaza
IN a significant stride towards bolstering parliamentary diplomacy and advancing the mutual interests of two long-standing allies, the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, at the weekend concluded a highly productive five-day visit to the People’s Republic of China.
This landmark engagement, undertaken from May 13 to May 17, at the express invitation of His Excellency Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and a distinguished Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has not only rekindled ties between the legislative bodies of Zimbabwe and China but has also laid a robust foundation for sharing invaluable experiences and best practices.
The ultimate aim? To cultivate a future of mutually beneficial and sustained socio-economic development for both nations.
Speaker Mudenda, accompanied by a high-level delegation including Hon Webster Shamu, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and esteemed committee members Hon Labanny Munemo, Hon Auxillia Dhanzi, Hon Basilia Majaya, and Hon Jabulani Hadebe, embarked on this mission with clear objectives: to deepen the existing excellent relations, to invigorate the dialogue between their respective legislatures, and to absorb lessons from China’s remarkable development journey.
The timing of this visit is particularly auspicious. It unfolds against the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s legislature recently relocating to the magnificent New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden — a state-of-the-art edifice constructed through strategic cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.
This architectural marvel stands as a tangible symbol of the enduring friendship and collaborative spirit between the two nations. Speaker Mudenda’s high-profile diplomatic outreach is thus poised to elevate parliamentary relations to a level commensurate with the already flourishing Government-to-Government ties.
A tapestry of historical friendship and future ambition
The fraternal relations between Zimbabwe and China are deeply rooted, tracing back to Zimbabwe’s arduous struggle for independence.
During that critical period, China provided indispensable material and tactical support to the frontline liberation fighters, a contribution that proved vital to the eventual triumph over the minority white settler regime.
This historic solidarity has since blossomed into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Indeed, as both nations celebrate the 45th Anniversary of diplomatic relations, the pronouncements by His Excellency, President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, and His Excellency, President Xi Jinping, heralding a “five-star ironclad” cooperation framework, resonate with profound significance.
This framework is set to guide and accelerate socio-economic, political, trade, and international cooperation, charting a course for an even more dynamic partnership.
Speaker Mudenda’s itinerary was a testament to the multifaceted nature of this engagement.
Beyond crucial discussions with his counterpart, H.E. Zhao Leji, the delegation undertook insightful tours of pioneering enterprises across various sectors, including cutting-edge high-tech companies and innovative agricultural ventures.
Visits to the historic Palace Museum, the evocative Museum of the Communist Party, the dynamic Ant Group, the formidable China Railway International Group (CRIG), the industrious Gansu Construction Investment Group, and the Nantan Photovoltaic Power Generation Project base in the Guangzhou district offered first-hand exposure to China’s developmental prowess. Such interactions are anticipated to renew synergies within the Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association, a key mechanism for strengthening the deep legislative bonds between the two republics.
This visit, therefore, serves as a powerful reaffirmation of Zimbabwe’s commitment to an alliance anchored on mutual trust, sovereign respect, solidarity, and the pursuit of shared prosperity.
High-level engagements: Charting a collaborative path
The formal discussions commenced on May 13, with a substantive meeting between Speaker Mudenda’s delegation and their host, H.E. Zhao Leji.
The dialogue was candid and comprehensive, covering a wide spectrum of issues. Central to the talks were strategies for strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing parliamentary collaboration, navigating the complexities of current global geopolitics, and exchanging insights on parliamentary processes.
Chairman Zhao Leji warmly welcomed the Zimbabwean delegation, immediately acknowledging the deep-seated strategic partnership forged during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle — a bond that has admirably stood the test of time.
He emphasised that the “five-star ironclad” cooperation framework, announced by Presidents Mnangagwa and Xi Jinping, provides a robust blueprint for accelerated and mutually beneficial development across all spheres.
Speaker Mudenda reciprocated the warm sentiments, expressing profound gratitude for the hospitality extended to his delegation. He echoed Chairman Zhao Leji’s characterisation of the bilateral relations as “extremely fraternal.”
He lauded the two Presidents for their clear articulation of the “five-star ironclad” cooperation framework, which he believes will undoubtedly accentuate economic relations.
A significant portion of Speaker Mudenda’s remarks was dedicated to expressing Zimbabwe’s enduring gratitude for China’s unwavering political, material, and military support during the liberation war, noting that President Mnangagwa himself received military training in China in the 1960s.
Describing China as an “all-weather friend,” Speaker Mudenda highlighted China’s crucial post-independence support across various economic sectors and in vital infrastructural development. The New Parliament Building, an architectural masterpiece unparalleled in Africa and globally competitive, stands as a prime example.
Furthermore, China’s significant contributions to the rehabilitation and expansion of both the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the Victoria Falls International Airport were underscored.
Seizing this opportunity, Speaker Mudenda passionately advocated for enhanced people-to-people relations through tourism, proposing the exploration of direct flights between Zimbabwe and China to facilitate easier travel for tourists and business delegations.
The following day, May 14, saw Speaker Mudenda and his delegation engage in highly interactive and introspective discussions with His Excellency Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Chairman Wang Huning recalled a memorable connection with Zimbabwe, stemming from his visit as part of President Xi Jinping’s delegation in 2015, and his prior study of Zimbabwe’s well-documented liberation history. He highlighted President Mnangagwa’s watershed state visit to China, which occurred on the sidelines of a FOCAC Summit and culminated in the now-renowned “five-star ironclad” development cooperation framework.
Speaker Mudenda, in turn, extolled the Chinese government for its extensive support, particularly in infrastructure, citing the grant for the New Parliament Building and crucial investments in the energy sector. These include the renovation works at Kariba South hydropower station and the construction of the Hwange 7 and 8 thermal power units, which have significantly bolstered Zimbabwe’s power supply.
Broadening horizons: BRICS, SEZs, and People-to-People ties
A key theme of Speaker Mudenda’s engagements was Zimbabwe’s keen interest in China’s global initiatives and development models.
He applauded China for the visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the establishment of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) economic and political conglomerate, which aims to upscale the socio-economic standing of the Global South as a counterbalance to the Global North.
In this vein, Speaker Mudenda expressed hope for China’s support for Zimbabwe’s and other African nations’ aspirations to join the BRICS family. He also reiterated the call for direct flights to foster people-centric fraternal relations through tourism and cultural exchanges.
Furthermore, Advocate Mudenda expressed gratitude for China’s support for Zimbabwe’s successful bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2017.
Turning specifically to parliamentary relations, Speaker Mudenda advocated for their strengthening to align with the excellent ties at the Executive and political party levels.
He emphasised that through parliamentary exchanges, Zimbabwe stands to gain immensely, particularly from China’s robust legal frameworks concerning the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to enhance the ease of doing business.
In this spirit, he extended a formal invitation to Chairman Wang Huning to undertake a bilateral visit to Zimbabwe and called for the establishment of a Zimbabwe-China Parliamentary Friendship Association to guide and nurture relations between the two legislatures. Chairman Wang Huning graciously accepted the invitation.
Learning from the titans: Industry, infrastructure, and heritage
Following the high-level meetings, the delegation immersed themselves in learning experiences at key Chinese enterprises and landmarks. A visit to the China Railway International Group Co. Ltd (CRIG), a subsidiary of the Fortune Global 500 company China Railway Group Limited (CREC), was particularly enlightening. With a legacy spanning over 131 years, CRIG is a global giant in construction and engineering, with projects in over 100 countries.
A tour of the Great Wall of China offered a profound appreciation for China’s rich heritage, engineering prowess, and enduring national identity.
This iconic landmark, a testament to centuries of resilience, now serves as a powerful symbol of China’s cultural heritage and a major tourist attraction, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Gansu province: A blueprint for poverty alleviation and business growth
A pivotal leg of the visit was the engagement with the leadership of Gansu Province, led by Hon. Hu Changsheng, Secretary of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee. Secretary Hu emphasised the long-standing relationship between Zimbabwe and China, positioning it as a benchmark for China-Africa and South-South cooperation. He lauded the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit held in September 2024 and the “five-star ironclad” development cooperation framework as critical enablers for robust socio-economic progress.
Speaker Mudenda explained that the visit to Gansu was a direct follow-up to the development framework agreed upon by the two Presidents.
The Zimbabwean delegation was keen to learn how Gansu has promulgated laws promoting the “Ease of Doing Business” to attract mutual investments. Speaker Mudenda also highlighted the pressing need to address global inequalities, where a disproportionate share of global wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few.
Secretary Hu, before detailing Gansu’s poverty alleviation strategies, acknowledged the Gansu Construction Investment Group’s significant 40-year business presence in Zimbabwe, with over 100 construction projects completed.
A future Cemented in Cooperation
Speaker Mudenda’s visit to China has undeniably concluded on a high note, marking a significant chapter in the annals of Zimbabwe-China relations.
The interactions have not only reinforced existing bonds but have opened new avenues for legislative cooperation, knowledge sharing, and mutual growth.
The insights gained from China’s trailblazing companies, its approach to poverty alleviation in regions like Gansu, and its strategic infrastructure development provide invaluable lessons for Zimbabwe as it pursues its own Vision 2030.
The proposed Zimbabwe-China Parliamentary Friendship Association, coupled with continued high-level exchanges and a commitment to learning from China’s legislative successes in fostering economic zones and business-friendly environments, promises to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible socio-economic benefits for the people of Zimbabwe.
As both nations move forward under the “five-star ironclad” cooperation framework, this enhanced parliamentary diplomacy will serve as a vital pillar, ensuring that the legislative arms of government are fully aligned and equipped to support an era of shared prosperity, innovation, and enduring friendship.
The journey ahead is bright, built on a foundation of mutual respect and a shared vision for a more prosperous future.
Don Makubaza is the head of Public Relations for the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
