Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE Chinese community in Zimbabwe has pledged to work closely with local churches in uplifting communities through education, training and skills development initiatives empowering young people and strengthening social ties.
Speaking at a meeting with church representatives in Harare on Saturday, Ms Manjuan Li, a leading member of the Chinese business community, said partnerships with faith-based organisations would ensure that development efforts reach grassroots levels.
“We believe that education and skills development are the foundations of sustainable progress. By partnering with the church, which already has deep roots in communities, we can make a lasting impact,” she said.
Ms Li said the Chinese community remained committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s national vision of transforming the country into an empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030 through people-centred projects that promote self-reliance and knowledge sharing.
“Our focus is not just on investment but on empowerment, helping young people gain practical skills that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she said.
Church representatives who attended the engagement welcomed the pledge, describing it as a timely opportunity to strengthen social outreach programmes and enhance youth empowerment initiatives.
Bishop Abel Charakupa said the church had long been a pillar of community transformation and welcomed partnerships that align with their mission.
“The church already runs several youth and skills projects, but limited resources have slowed progress. Collaborating with the Chinese community gives us a chance to expand our reach and impact,” he said. Another church leader, Archbishop Lina Vashiko, said the move would help equip young people with practical life skills.
“Many young people in our congregations are gifted but lack opportunities. This partnership could open doors for training, scholarships and start-up support that truly transforms lives,” she said.
The partnership discussions are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with both sides identifying key areas of cooperation that align with the country’s human capital development and community upliftment goals.
China has become one of Zimbabwe’s leading trading partners. In December 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to Zimbabwe and the already good relations have been continually rising with President Mnangagwa also sealing deals on his State visits to China.
One of the major deals saw the expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station after the addition of Units 7 and 8 with a combined capacity of 600 MW.
The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport has also been expanded after China extended a loan of US$153 million.
The US$153 million loan was provided by the China Eximbank with a 7-year grace period, a 20-year tenure and a 2 percent interest rate.
