Bongani Ndlovu
Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Zhou Ding at the Rice Donation Distribution Event
It is a pleasure to join you here in Epworth today for this rice distribution event. First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to DAPP Zimbabwe, the Harare Metropolitan Provincial Government, and the Epworth Local Board for your dedicated efforts in facilitating today’s event.
The rice we are distributing—a gift from the Chinese government to Zimbabwe—is both a symbol of our enduring friendship and a token of our solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.
Not long ago, I had the pleasure of visiting DAPP Zimbabwe. I was deeply impressed by DAPP’s unwavering commitment to improving livelihoods and advancing sustainable development for disadvantaged communities. Following that meeting, The Chinese embassy decided to join hands with DAPP to implement today’s program, with a focus on supporting vulnerable groups, especially the returnees from South Africa.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the old saying goes, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” And indeed, over the years, whenever Zimbabwe has encountered challenges and hardships, China—as its all-weather friend—has always extended a helping hand at the very moment it was most needed. Time and again, we have proven that China and Zimbabwe are more than just partners—we are brothers, through thick and thin.
In 2019, when Cyclone Idai struck Zimbabwe, China acted swiftly to help rebuild homes in the hardest-hit areas. In 2020, when Zimbabwe battled the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the first to offer vaccines and medical supplies. In 2024, when Zimbabwe endured its worst El Niño-induced drought in over four decades, China responded promptly with 10,000 tonnes of emergency food assistance, along with 300 boreholes, to support the most vulnerable communities. Today’s rice distribution is yet another concrete example of this enduring friendship and our shared commitment to improving the livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, I want to especially acknowledge those among us who have recently returned home from South Africa. We understand that coming back and starting over is not easy—finding jobs, supporting families, and rebuilding lives can be a real struggle. I hope the rice we are distributing today will offer some comfort, and more importantly, convey a message of friendship and solidarity—a reminder that you are not alone on our shared journey toward food security.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China has consistently upheld the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith in developing its relations with Zimbabwe. Within the framework of the Global Development Initiative and the Ten Partnership Actions for China-Africa Modernization proposed by H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping, China and Zimbabwe are intensifying our cooperation across a broad range of areas, including poverty reduction, food security, public health, climate resilience, and green development. China fully supports the development agendas set out in Zimbabwe’s NDS2. Our joint efforts are not simply about responding to immediate needs—they are aimed at strengthening community resilience, expanding development opportunities, and enhancing Zimbabwe’s capacity for self-reliant and sustainable development.
Looking ahead, China will continue to stand firmly with Zimbabwe, translating our shared commitment into more tangible benefits for local communities and jointly building a China-Zimbabwe all-weather community with a shared future.
Thank you.
Online Reporter