Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in BEIJING, China
ZIMBABWE and China have elevated their relations from a “Five Star Ironclad Friendship” to an “All Weather Zimbabwe-China Community with a Shared Future”, in a landmark development that is expected to further deepen bilateral trade and strategic economic partnership between the two countries.
President Mnangagwa and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, yesterday held talks at the Great Hall of the People here, where they agreed to upgrade relations between the two countries.
The development is a bold statement in favour of Zimbabwe under the Second Republic, and sets the pace towards opening vast prospects for mutually beneficial economic growth and prosperity.
President Mnangagwa was in Beijing at the invitation of President Xi and joined fellow world leaders for the 80th Anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday.
The President also held a series of high-level meetings with representatives of Chinese companies with investment interests in Zimbabwe and those keen to set up shop in the country.
The meetings culminated in the landmark engagement with President Xi yesterday, which sought to strengthen Harare’s relations with Beijing, with focus on advancing economic diplomacy in line with Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement foreign policy.
Addressing his Chinese counterpart during the bilateral meeting, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe looked forward to pursuing joint development targets under the new level of relations.
“It has been 45 years since the establishment of Zimbabwe-China diplomatic ties. These excellent relations have stood the test of time and continue to grow from strength to strength. Our friendship and partnership have matured,” he said.
“Zimbabwe, therefore, welcomes the deepening and elevation of our relations to an All-Weather Zimbabwe-China Community with a Shared Future,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We look forward to recalibrating our excellent relations under this characterisation in pursuit of joint development and win-win co-operation.”
Zimbabwe-China trade has been expanding over the years, clocking US$2,3 billion annually, with Harare counting for US$1 billion in exports.
China has supported Zimbabwe’s various economic sectors towards the realisation of Vision 2030, including Hwange Units 7 and 8 expansion, which was built at a costs of about US$1,5 billion, Kariba South Hydro Power Extension, upgrading of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Victoria Falls International Airports, construction of a new National Pharmaceutical Warehouse, among other programmes and projects.
China is leading foreign investments in Zimbabwe, riding on the improved ease of doing business, with key projects such as the newly commissioned Dinson Iron and Steel company in Manhize, Midlands province — built at a cost of about US$1,5 billion — already driving industrial transformation with massive employment and positive spin-offs for the entire region.
China has also played a key role in unlocking wider coal to energy opportunities and is tapping into lithium, gold and other strategic minerals, thereby contributing immensely to Zimbabwe’s economic turnaround.
Earlier while welcoming President Mnangagwa, President Xi said at the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, their Five Star Iron-Clad friendship had been growing ever deeper.
“I propose that we elevate this relationship to an All-Weather China Zimbabwe Community with a Shared Future to set a prime example of solidarity and coordination between China and Africa and in the Global South,” he said.
President Xi also paid tribute to President Mnangagwa for gracing the Victory Day celebrations, reiterating his call for multilateralism.
“Together, we must all remember history, firmly uphold world peace, oppose power politics and stand up for international fairness and justice and make the international order more just and equitable,” he added.
President Mnangagwa, who concluded his visit here yesterday and flies out this morning, also thanked his host for the warm hospitality that he and his delegation received in the country.
“I also convey my congratulations to you Your Excellency, and dear brother and through you, the Chinese nation, for a spectacular military parade which we witnessed yesterday (Wednesday). It was out of this world. The successful event was a grand display of military might, precision and patriotism,” he said.
The President said the spirit and the resilience of the Chinese people and their ironclad strength will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.
“We welcome and fully concur with your call for nations to never forget history and tragedies of war, as well as the importance of upholding the principle of indivisible security for all.
“Undoubtedly, the commemorations will go a long way to promote the correct historical narrative of China’s great contribution to World War 2,” said President Mnangagwa.
Speaking to journalists after the engagement by the two leaders, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the elevation of relations means a lot for the Zimbabwean economy.
“We are seeing our economy being interwoven with the economy of the People’s Republic of China in a very big way,” he said.
“We are very excited and we are very happy that China and Zimbabwe are coming from a very long way and are going far in terms of how we relate.”
Prof Murwira said relations between Zimbabwe and China were special as they are based on mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty and support at bilateral and multilateral levels.
He said the collaboration brought economic meaning to ordinary people by building foundations of peace and prosperity.
“As you know, first of all, what we witnessed yesterday (Wednesday), was a display of peace by showing readiness to defend peace and peace is the foundation of economic development,” said Prof Murwira.
“Now we can trade in peace and trade means prosperity which is basically our national goal. Our national goal is to build a free, peaceful society where people have prosperous, happy and fulfilling lives”.
The minister said Government seeks to make the people of Zimbabwe prosperous through relations that are productive and practical.
“One of the most productive and practical relations we have is with China. That relationship has been lifted to a higher level which means higher trade, higher prosperity,” said Prof Murwira.
“You would know that we have had a lot of protocols, including protocols on blue berries, avocados, agricultural protocols and the proposition of removing tariffs between ourselves and China, which is extremely important in boosting trade and therefore prosperity.
“This relationship that we are forging is a productive relationship, which means we are supporting each other in all spheres. What a shared future is: a future of hope and progress, reduced poverty, increased wealth and greater security.”
