China reaffirms support to Zimbabwe

strategy for mutual benefit.
Officially opening the Chinhoyi Agriculture Show last Friday, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Xin Shunkang, reaffirmed China’s desire to see Zimbabwe develop.
“We will continue pursuing an open strategy of mutual benefit; promote the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.

“China is committed to the non-interference policy and will always support the just call of developing countries including Zimbabwe,” he said.
China has used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council together with other progressive countries to quash Britain and its allies to invoke Chapter 7 against Zimbabwe.
China, he said, cherished its traditional friendship with Zimbabwe and was ready to pursue joint ventures to push bilateral relations to a “new high”.

Bilateral trade volumes between the two countries have grown by 60 percent to about US$445 million in May this year compared to the same period last year.
“The mutually beneficial economic co-operation is bearing more and more fruits,” he said.
Ambassador Xin said co-operation in agriculture, which was the mainstay of the two countries’ economies would play a significant role in promoting bilateral relations.

He said China would provide US$2 million worth of agriculture machinery this year to further enhance existing co-operation in irrigation and mechanisation.
Ambassador Xin said China wanted to share its experience and technology in agriculture.
“Like Zimbabwe, China is an agriculture country that has successfully managed to feed 22 percent of the world population with only seven percent of arable land on earth.

“We would like to share the experiences and technologies in agriculture,” he said.
The Chinhoyi Agriculture Show is running under the theme “Maximising agro-based business opportunities in an emerging economic region”.

Mashonaland West Governor and Resident Minister Faber Chidarikire said the show offered exhibitors a platform to sell their products to a wider market.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police scooped the overall winner’s prize for best exhibitor.

Several other individuals and companies including irrigation equipment supplier Moples Investments, Agribank, FBC, Alpha College won prizes in various categories.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Xin said China would stand by Zimbabwe to fight the illegal sanctions imposed on it by the West.

Officially opening the Mazowe Valley Agricultural show in Mashonaland Central Province on Saturday, Ambassador Xin said there was need to continue supporting each other.
“China provided spiritual and material support during the liberation struggle and as such will continue supporting Zimbabwe through agricultural partnership to increase productivity and eradicate poverty,” he said.

The ambassador invited a delegation from the Mazowe Valley Show to China to benefit from an exchange programme in tobacco and cotton growing.
Speaking at the same occasion, show chairman Mr Tineyi Kundiona said this year’s show had been a success.
He said more than 55 companies had exhibited together with 273 small scale farmers.

“Despite the economic hardships the country is currently facing 55 companies managed to exhibit their products and to us this is a clear indication that the courage the farmers have will not be deterred by sanctions,” he said.
ZRP scooped the first prize in the Government department category while NAC came first in the parastatal category. Cottco came first in the private companies while the first prize in NGOs category went to ZFU.

Companies that won the first to fourth prizes will proceed to the Harare Agricultural show, that begins this week.
Jah Prayza woved the hundreds of people who attended the show.