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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Reporter
The Chinese government says it will continually support Zimbabwe to achieve Vision 2030 and greater progress in economic and social development, as cooperation between the two sister countries escalates.
Both countries enjoy excellent relations and sound bilateral cooperation across the board.
Speaking during the occasion to mark the 73rd anniversary of the People’s Republic of China in Harare yesterday, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun said China-Zimbabwe cooperation will always give priority to supporting Harare’s economic and social development.
“Our cooperation will adhere to recipient-driven approaches, respect the independent choices of Zimbabwean Government and people, and never attach any political strings or economic coercive requirements,” he said. The growing relations between the two countries is evidenced by projects such as the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse, the 1 000 Borehole Project, and the New Parliament Building that were completed with China’s aid.
The Kariba South Hydro Power Station Expansion, Hwange Thermal Power Station Expansion, Victoria Falls International Airport upgrade, modernisation of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and NetOne broadband construction, were implemented with China’s financial support.
The Chinese government has also donated millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines and sent multiple batches of Medical Teams and Agricultural Experts Groups to Zimbabwe.
The Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Citrus to China signed last year is one of the policy supports by China in promoting export of Zimbabwe’s agricultural products.
This, Ambassador Guo said, aimed to establish “green lanes” for Zimbabwean agricultural products into the Chinese market, marking a breakthrough of China’s policy supports in assisting Zimbabwe’s economic development.
The Chinese investments are introducing Zimbabwe’s high-quality products into international markets, bringing considerable forex earnings and tax revenues, tens of thousands of job opportunities and technology transfers and promote Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Speaking at the same occasion Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava said Zimbabwe has witnessed increased investments by Chinese companies over the past few years.
“The Chinese business community has transferred technical expertise and created employment opportunities for thousands of our local people,” he said in speech read on his behalf Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.
Ambassador Shava reiterated that Zimbabwe would continue to work closely with China in pursuit of a new global order that respects sovereignty, diversity and genuine multilateralism.
“In this regard, we welcome the Global Security Initiative (GSI) that has been unveiled by His Excellency President Xi Jinping towards attainment of this goal,” he said.
Zimbabwe, said Ambassador Shava, shared China’s concerns over the growing unilateralism by some countries, shown by the imposition of unilateral sanctions and coercive measures outside the structures of international law.
Zimbabwe is a victim of illegal sanctions imposed by some western countries over the past two decades and Ambassador Shava hailed China for joining other countries in calling for the removal of the illegal measures.
In the first half of 2022, bilateral trade volumes reached US$973 million, of which China imported goods worth US$504 million from Zimbabwe and exported goods worth US$469 million to Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter