Online Reporter
Tichaona Zindoga
AFRICAN experts have praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic letter to Zimbabwe’s liberation war fighters, which was handed over by the Asian giant’s envoy, Ambassador Zhou Ding recently.
President Xi’s letter was in response to one written by a group of war veterans last November, marking an unprecedented exchange of correspondence between the Chinese leader and any liberation movement globally.
President Xi’s letter to Zimbabwe drew praise for its recognition of the past, the present and the future of the two countries.
Ghanaian expert, Paul Frimpong, said the relationship between China and Africa did not begin with loans, infrastructure or trade, but began with shared sacrifice and political empathy that was people-centred.
“The struggle for independence and liberation was about the people,” Frimpong said.
“I think it is important that China and Africa continue to maintain these historic relations. These ties are not just symbolic, they are foundational.
“For many countries in Africa, China was present at the time when options were limited; indeed that’s what I usually call a friend in need is a friend indeed. A shared history created bonds of trust, solidarity and mutual respect that go beyond the transactional diplomacy that we see (elsewhere).”
Professor Jairos Kangira, an academic based in Namibia said: “It’s unprecedented in the fact that it is the first kind of communication from the Chinese President writing to the war veterans of Zimbabwe. It’s a milestone, a big achievement on the part of the liberation war fighters in Zimbabwe.”
Prof Kangira highlighted that it was essential for the liberation generation to teach the “born-frees” who could only read about the liberation in books, about where Zimbabwe came from and to carry forth the torch of friendship with China.
Alluding to his own visits to China where he said he visited the village where President Xi spent 10 years, he said young Zimbabweans would benefit from the experiences and model of China.
Mavara Shikongo, a Namibian media expert, pointed to the context of the exchange of letters, as significant, saying that the fact that the letter was coming from the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the world made it special.
“He (President Xi) is reaffirming the relationship with Zimbabwe, a small developing country in Africa,” Mavara said.
“When you’re getting the commitment from such a giant country that they want to walk with you, which is in itself an achievement for the country.”
He said the fact that the letter received media attention pointed to its weight.
Wonder Msiska from Malawi said it was interesting to read President Xi’s response which showed the respect that China has for African nations in general and Zimbabwe in particular.
“For me it is quite important for China to come out clearly, as it has done here, to show that this partnership is not that of a horse and a rider; whereby it is only the rider who gets to ride the horse, but it must be a win-win partnership where Africa is also benefitting not just from aid but also trade as well.”
Added Msiska: “It gives us hope that the Chinese look at Africa as a true partner for both aid and trade.”
Meanwhile, amid global changes in the international arena unprecedented in a century, other experts said China and Africa should continue close cooperation, amid calls by China to build an all-weather community with a shared future.
“Xi’s alternative global governance model (that is) characterised by mutual respect and respect for international law and order, challenges the unilateral disposition of the West,” explained Nigerian academic Dr Hammeed M. Bello.
“Unless countries in the Global South engage more, the Global North will continue to dictate affairs at their collective expense,” the academic.
China has introduced various global initiatives on development, security, civilisation and global governance that are meant to enhance multilateralism and cooperation in areas such as trade, security and development.
