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Leonard Ncube in Hwange, [email protected]
CHINA has pledged to continue working with Zimbabwe to help the Second Republic achieve its goals as the partnership between the two countries has enabled Zimbabwe to implement a number of mega projects.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 expansion project by President Mnangagwa at Hwange Colliery Stadium yesterday, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Zhou Ding said the bilateral relations between the two countries were leveraging on the historic relations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.
“Looking into the future, China will continue to work with Zimbabwe to achieve our common development and prosperity and support Zimbabwe realise its National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030. On Zimbabwe’s path to prosperity and revitalisation, China will always stand firmly with our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters,” he said.
“In recent years under the strategic guidance of His Excellency Chinese President Xi Jinping and His Excellency President Mnangagwa, our comprehensive partnership has continued to deliver tangible results. China’s assistance to Zimbabwe always focuses on the country’s real and urgent needs, including strengthening Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and energy self-reliance.”
Besides the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 project, which was funded through a partnership with Sino Hydro, Ambassador Zhou said other projects funded by China that have injected strong momentum into Zimbabwe’s economic growth are Kariba South Hydropower Station expansion, upgrading of Victoria Falls International Airport and R G Mugabe International Airport, NetOne Broadband network and the High-Performance Computing Centre.
Thousands of boreholes have also been completed nationwide to provide safe drinking water to multitudes of Zimbabweans and boost irrigation.
The Chinese Government also introduced the Emergency Food Assistance programme bringing hope to Zimbabweans while the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse has significantly strengthened the capacity of Zimbabwe’s health sector.
China-aided hospitals and medical teams continue to bring relief locally.
Ambassador Zhou said Chinese private sector investments in energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and other sectors of the economy have created thousands of jobs and boosted revenue for the economy while sharing technical skills and management expertise.
He said the Hwange Power Station Expansion Project is a flagship project funded by the Chinese Government’s concessional loans under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
With an investment of US$1,5 billion, a total installed capacity of 600MW, four transformer stations, and 368km of power transmission lines, the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 project has become the largest infrastructure project in Zimbabwe in the past 40 years, said Ambassador Zhou.
He said it will not only provide Zimbabwe with a reliable power supply and brighten up millions of households but also inject new vitality into the country’s socio-economic progress.
The Ambassador said the projects are a testimony to the partnership between the two countries.
“These are the achievements that we strive to make together. China is also committed to addressing the pressing needs of the Zimbabwean people especially those of vulnerable communities,” said Ambassador Zhou.
“The magnificent project also stands as a testament to China-Zimbabwe’s comprehensive strategic partnership of co-operation, as well as another monument of our unbreakable traditional friendship which will inspire us to overcome all the difficulties and challenges ahead and lead to a better future.”
Ambassador Zhou said through the co-operation, bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe reached US$2,43 billion in 2022 with an increase of 29,2 percent year on year.
In the first-half of this year, bilateral trade reached US$1,5 billion increasing 54 percent and Zimbabwe achieved a trade surplus of US$105 million.
Ambassador Zhou congratulated Zesa and the Government for the successful implementation of the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 project.-@ncubeleon
Online Reporter