China pledges to deepen bilateral relations with Zim

Rutendo Nyeve , Sunday News Reporter

CHINA has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with Zimbabwe, pledging to accelerate investments, implement high-level agreements and deliver tangible benefits to the Zimbabwean people as the two nations celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at a research indaba held on the sidelines of the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, said the relationship between the two countries has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership anchored on shared goals in economic, scientific and social development.

He emphasised that the focus going forward is to turn the consensus reached between President Mnangagwa and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping into concrete outcomes, which are guided by resolutions from the 2023 Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) in Beijing.

“This year, as our two nations continue to work hand in hand to implement the important consensus reached between our heads of state, we will jointly deliver tangible benefits to the Zimbabwean people,” said Amb Zhou.

Among key initiatives set for rollout in 2025 are the official handover of the High-Performance Computing Centre, commissioning of a Belt and Road Joint Laboratory to enhance scientific collaboration and the launch of new irrigation schemes to boost agricultural productivity.

In addition, solar-powered e-facilities will be introduced in rural communities to expand access to education and healthcare services. “These are just some of the many ongoing projects, with more lined up as we deepen our cooperation,” said the Ambassador.

China, he noted, has long been a key infrastructure development partner for Zimbabwe, with investments spanning power generation, transport, healthcare and education.

The Chinese private sector has also played a significant role.

“China has remained Zimbabwe’s top foreign investor, with hundreds of Chinese enterprises actively contributing across various sectors. These investments have delivered tangible benefits which include foreign exchange earnings, tax revenues and job opportunities for our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters,” said Amb Zhou.

Highlighting the broader vision of China’s global engagement, the envoy referenced Beijing’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), frameworks designed to deepen China’s co-operation with Africa and support sustainable growth.

Amb Zhou said this collaboration is rooted in fostering solid foundations that unlock potential.

“From boreholes bringing clean water to rural villages to airports connecting Zimbabwe to global markets. From the Hwange and Kariba South Power Stations energising the national grid to the Dinson Steel Plant and Titan Energy Complex boosting industrial capacity and from medical teams healing communities to agricultural experts empowering farmers, the China-Zimbabwe partnership proves that true development is not transactional, but transformational,” he said.

Amb Zhou described President Mnangagwa’s state visit to China in 2023 as a turning point, where 17 landmark agreements were signed, cementing the nations’ five-star ironclad cooperation framework.

“This framework is not just a policy document, but a shared promise to walk together as equal partners for mutual benefit,” he said. Amb Zhou commended Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, which he described as visionary yet principled, pursuing industrialisation while prioritising sustainability, innovation rooted in heritage and global integration that protects national sovereignty.

“As Zimbabwe moves toward Vision 2030, China stands ready to contribute knowledge, technology and experience to co-develop solutions tailored to Zimbabwe’s needs,” he added.

Amb Zhou reiterated China’s commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international economic system, denouncing tariff and trade wars as detrimental to global progress, particularly for developing nations in the Global South.

He said his country will continue to defend its legitimate rights and support the collective interests of the international community.

@nyeve14