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Takunda Maodza in Kariba—
CHINA will firmly support Zimbabwe in safeguarding her sovereignty and socio-economic interests as the two countries treasure and cherish their historic relations, Chinese ambassador Lin Lin has said. Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony for Kariba South Power Station expansion project by President Mugabe here on Thursday, Lin said Chinese President Xi Jinping was ready to carry forward the traditional relations between Zimbabwe and China.
“At present, China and Zimbabwe are both at an important stage of national construction, which has brought many new opportunities for the economic and trade co-operation between the two countries,” he said.
“Zimbabwe ranked first in Africa to attract Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in 2013, which reached $602 million and covered a wide range of areas, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining, tourism and so on. The trade volume in 2013 surpassed $1,1 billion, almost doubling that of 2010.”
Lin said he was happy that Chinese investors were committed to seeing Zimbabwe’s economy recovering to bring about social development.
“Just a few days ago, His Excellency President Mugabe concluded his state visit to China which is quite successful and fruitful in promoting both political mutual trust and pragmatic economic and technological cooperation in many fields,” he said.
“It marks a new start for our bilateral relations. During his (President Mugabe) visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is ready to work together with Zimbabwe to carry forward our traditional friendship, strengthen cooperation in various fields and continue to be good friends, good partners and good brothers with equal treatment, mutual support, mutual benefit, win-win results and common development.”
Lin said Zimbabwe and China shared similar historical background and enjoyed profound traditional friendship.
“China is ready to work with Zimbabwe to push forward the comprehensive and in-depth development of the bilateral relations, and to further benefit peoples of both countries,” he said.
“As President Xi put it, Chinese will continue to stick to principles, uphold justice, and firmly support Zimbabwe in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and interests of development. The two countries should maintain high level exchanges and enhance inter-party contact.”
He pledged Chinese support for government’s economic blueprint, ZimAsset.
“We should strengthen the exchanges of experience in state governance and administration as well as in reform and opening up,” he said.
“China will support Zimbabwe’s efforts to implement ZimAsset, to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihood. China will continue to cultivate construction talents for Zimbabwe, discuss with Zimbabwe the cooperation pattern and financing channel of reciprocity and mutual benefit, and transfer applicable agricultural technologies to help Zimbabwe increase its agricultural output and income.
“China is ready to take part in the construction of Zimbabwe’s special economic zones and industrial parks, lead the cooperation in infrastructure construction, mining industry, manufacturing industry and other fields, and encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Zimbabwe.”
Lin said Sinohydro, the Chinese company contracted for the expansion of Kariba South Power Station, was a reputable and experienced firm with capacity to come up with a high quality project within the stipulated period. He said the project reflected the strong bond between China and Zimbabwe.
“Over the 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have understood and supported each other on issues regarding both countries’ core interests and major concern, and have helped each other in our development progress,” said Lin.
“The traditional China-Zimbabwe friendship is the common treasure of the two countries which we both cherish.”
Online Reporter