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Tendai Mugabe Harare Bureau—
CHINESE Vice President Li Yuanchao made a brief stop in Harare yesterday to pledge his country’s commitment to help Zimbabwe’s efforts to spark economic recovery. Yuanchao, who was enroute to Zambia for a four-day State visit, made what was seen as a symbolic stop in Harare, which has expended a lot of diplomatic energy courting Chinese investment and bailouts. Vice President Joice Mujuru met Yuanchao at the Harare International Airport, extracting from his opposite number China’s commitment to support the country’s economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).
An initial funding commitment for Zim-Asset was made by China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Lin Lin, last month when he said discussions for a financial package were underway.
“We’re very proud to see your achievements and we will do our best for you to realise this feat,” said Vice President Yuanchao said. “Our two countries enjoy very good relations, especially in terms of economic cooperation.”
The Chinese VP, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC), informed VP Mujuru that Beijing was preparing for President Robert Mugabe’s visit to China later this year.
He described Zimbabwe as one of China’s best friends, adding that the CPC and Zanu-PF had a long-standing relationship dating back to the days of the Second Chimurenga.
Dr Li, who is leading a 21-member delegation including senior Chinese government and CPC officials, said Zimbabwe was making strides on the economic front and Beijing was ready to assist in the area of training.
VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe was ready to work with China in implementing Zim-Asset.
“There’s a lot that we feel China can also try to look at and work with us on, so that this blueprint becomes a reality because it is a programme that the generality of this country is looking forward to,” she said.
“For years since independence, we have been failing to deliver fully . . . yes we got the land, but the land has not given the full results which the Head of State and our party and his people are waiting to see.”
VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe appreciated China’s support during and after the liberation struggle.
After a brief closed session with her Chinese counterpart, VP Mujuru said Dr Li told her that a senior official would visit Zimbabwe in July. She said detailed discussions would be held with the official pertaining to Zim-Asset funding, among other issues.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, the Minister of State for Harare Province Miriam Chikukwa and the Minister of State in the VP’s Office Sylvester Nguni also attended the meeting.
Online Reporter