Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE elevated strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and China must be anchored by deep cultural dialogue, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding has said.
He made the remarks today, as the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe hosted the virtual launch of the “Global Linking of Dunhuang Culture – Zimbabwe Session.”
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding, celebrated the historical affinity between the two nations.
Ambassador Zhou said that despite the vast geographical distance, the relationship between China and Zimbabwe is rooted in centuries-old trade networks.
“Though thousands of miles apart, China and Zimbabwe share common aspirations and uphold a profound respect for cultural diversity,” Ambassador Zhou said. “History bears witness that the Great Zimbabwe was an integral part of the ancient Indian Ocean trade network that linked East Africa with China. Chinese porcelain unearthed from the Great Zimbabwe Monument stands as enduring and tangible testimony to our long-standing friendship.”
Ambassador Zhou noted that Dunhuang epitomises the spirit of “exchange and mutual learning,” a philosophy that continues to define modern bilateral relations.
“From ancient maritime trade to modern-day China-Africa cooperation, China and Zimbabwe have always stood together as trusted partners, bonded by mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual learning,” he said.
Since establishing diplomatic ties on April 18, 1980, the “all-weather friendship” has yielded major infrastructure achievements, including Zimbabwe’s New Parliament Building, the Robert Mugabe International Airport, and the Hwange and Kariba South Power Stations. According to Zhou, Chinese investments now sustain more than one million local jobs.
The Ambassador placed special emphasis on a groundbreaking economic policy that went into effect on May 1, 2026, which is set to fundamentally reshape trade.
“China has implemented zero-tariff treatment for exports from all 53 African countries having diplomatic ties with China,” Ambassador Zhou said. “This marks the first time a major economy has granted comprehensive, unilateral zero-tariff preferences to the entire African continent. This landmark policy will enhance the competitiveness of Zimbabwean products, expand export volumes, create more jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings, and further drive industrial upgrading.”
The event came at a historic juncture for the two nations. Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Mnangagwa officially elevated their bilateral relations to an “All-Weather China-Zimbabwe Community with a Shared Future.”
With 2026 designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Ambassador Zhou said that cultural engagement remains an “indispensable pillar” of this partnership. Over the past decade alone, more than 6,000 Zimbabwean professionals have benefited from Chinese capacity-building programmes.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador urged Zimbabwean youth to absorb the values of the Silk Road—peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness—and use them to build future bilateral ties.
Top officials from China’s Gansu province and Dunhuang City attended the meeting virtually.
