Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
CHINA has reiterated its unwavering support for Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and development, urging Western nations to lift what it described as “illegal sanctions” that have undermined the country’s economic progress for decades.
Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the sanctions imposed by a few Western countries were a typical act of hegemonism that violated Zimbabwe’s right to development and disrupted regional cooperation efforts in Southern Africa.
Those few western countries, he said, must take responsible and concrete steps to help the country develop its economy and improve people’s well-being.
“A few Western countries have illegally sanctioned Zimbabwe for decades,” he said.
“This typical act of hegemonism severely undermines Zimbabwe’s national sovereignty, infringes on Zimbabwean people’s right of development, disrupts the effort of Southern Africa to deepen cooperation and pursue common development, and harms international fairness and justice.”
He said China fully supports Zimbabwe in commemorating the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, designated on October 25 by the 39th SADC Summit, and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to working with African countries to promote peace, stability, and development.
“China, as always, firmly supports Zimbabwe in opposing external interference and keeping to its own development path.
“We stand ready to work with African countries and the international community to help Zimbabwe defend its independence and sovereignty, uphold stability and achieve development. We once again urge a few countries and organisations to lift the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe as soon as possible.”
The latest remarks build on a long history of solidarity between Harare and Beijing, dating back to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and post-independence cooperation.
In 2008, China demonstrated its firm stance on Zimbabwe’s sovereignty when Ambassador Wang Guangya, then China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, vetoed a US-drafted resolution at the UN Security Council that sought to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe.
The Chinese embassy in Harare said the veto was not merely a diplomatic act but a promise of solidarity that continues to shape the China–Zim partnership today.
The two nations continue to enjoy strong bilateral relations, marked by cooperation in infrastructure development, trade, investment, and cultural exchange, partnerships that both sides say are rooted in mutual respect and non-interference.
