Economic diplomacy. . . President begins high-level talks . . .Move to boost Sino-Zim relations

Nduduzo Tshuma in BEIJING, China

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday and is scheduled to hold high-level meetings, including with President Xi Jinping, aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s relations with China and advancing economic diplomacy.

The President is also expected to attend commemorations of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War to be held at Tiananmen Square tomorrow.

He is one of two African Heads of State and Government invited to the celebrations, which hold symbolic meaning for both Zimbabwe and China.

President Mnangagwa was welcomed at the Beijing Capital International Airport by the Chinese Head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission Mr Chen Ruifeng and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, Abigail Shonhiwa, among other officials.

He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube, Attorney General Mrs Virginia Mabiza, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, and Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet in charge of Presidential Communications, Mr George Charamba, among other senior officials.

In an interview, Prof Murwira said the President will today hold high-level engagements with business leaders who have investments in Zimbabwe or are interested in setting up shop in the country.

Tomorrow, President Mnangagwa will join fellow Heads of State and Government from 26 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a military parade among other activities, hosted by China for the 80th Anniversary of its Victory Day.

He will cap his visit by holding bilateral talks with President Xi on Thursday.   

Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe and China enjoy strong ties forged during the liberation struggle that have matured into one of Zimbabwe’s most important bilateral relations underpinning political solidarity and economic cooperation.

“Our relationship with China is epitomised by our cooperation and the support that we got from China during the liberation struggle and our President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, is a symbol of that cooperation.

“From a young man who was being trained to liberate this country to the President of that same country, the People’s Republic of China played a critical role for that liberation, just like China played a critical role during the Second World War to defeat fascism,” said Prof Murwira.

Eighty years down the line, he said, China was inviting Zimbabwe’s liberation icon, who also defeated fascism with their support.

“This is like a fairy tale, but it’s the reality of convergence. Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China, obviously and naturally, have convergence of thought, convergence of praxis, convergence of future direction,” Prof Murwira said.

“That is why His Excellency the President Dr Mnangagwa is here, to consummate the fruits of that relationship and further that relationship because the defeat of fascism is exactly what liberates a people and what liberated Zimbabwe and China.

“So, we are here not as a coincidence of history but as a construct of history, as a consequence of a long-term convergence of ideas, praxis and future outlook.”

While tomorrow’s commemorations highlight shared sacrifices in global and national struggles against fascism and colonialism, President Mnangagwa’s programme in Beijing underscores the pivot to economic diplomacy.

This phase is central to Zimbabwe’s foreign policy, which is built upon the peace dividend secured through independence.

“When you have peace, which is the first step, the next thing is to perform and undertake economic development and in our economic development journey to produce food for our people, water for our people, infrastructure for our people and so forth, this journey is being fulfilled through engagement with friendly countries such as China,” said Prof Murwira.

“It is in this context, therefore, that His Excellency is going to meet corporates for the rest of his time tomorrow (today) to make sure that our political relations are translated into economic cooperation for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe and China.

“So, this is what is going to happen, it is very important that just before the celebrations of the 80th Anniversary, that His Excellency undertakes the economic diplomatic part of his mission to China.”

Zimbabwe-China trade has been expanding, reaching US$2,3 billion annually, with Zimbabwe accounting for US$1 billion in exports.

“So, continuous discussions and refinement of our discussions towards this goal will boost our figures of trade and therefore, this is why His Excellency sees it as very critical, and we also see it as very critical, that he perfects his mission through this economic part of the pipeline of our diplomacy.”

Prof Murwira said President Mnangagwa’s meeting with President Xi comes as the two countries were working on a Five-Star Ironclad cooperation framework underpinned by five key areas: politics, economy and trade, security, culture and international coordination.

“This can only happen and be consummated when the two great leaders meet. On Thursday, His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa is going to meet President Xi Jinping. The meeting is going to be a very important meeting, as always, to strengthen our bilateral relationship in all spheres of human endeavour.”

Meanwhile, Prof Murwira has dismissed the anti-China sentiment by naysayers, saying Chinese investment or work between Zimbabwe and China was one of the largest in terms of contributions to the country’s GDP.

“We are talking about the Dinson Steel Plant in Manhize, it’s one of the multi-billion-dollar investments that is from China. What we always want to talk about is being aware of a certain anti-China sentiment, which is being peddled in Africa and elsewhere in the world, which we should never listen to because we know what we want.

“Fortunately for Zimbabwe, we say we are a friend to all and an enemy to none. Zimbabwe is open for business and it happens that, that openness for business has attracted a lot of Chinese businesses so this doctrine of ours is working very well and we will not listen to voices from wrong universes to determine our own future,” said Prof Murwira.

He said business between Zimbabwe and China continues to grow and the Government would put in all enablers to maintain the trajectory.

“The facts are there, Zimbabwe’s economy is growing at six percent and one of the drivers in that matrix is the Chinese investment in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is open for business and the Chinese and many others have responded. Those who are busy are not talking; they are working,” Prof Murwira said.