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SINCE the Government of Zimbabwe led by President Mugabe embarked on the historic land reform programme to reverse the economic imbalances in the country, Western countries fronted by the US and Britain have been working round the clock in their ill-fated move to kill the country’s economy. The British and the Americans have been trying to earn Zimbabwe the tag of a pariah state, but the resilience of the people of this southern African nation with the support of its all-weather friends such as the Chinese government have made such machinations come to futility.
The Chinese, who have been on the side of the people of Zimbabwe since the armed struggle against colonialism have not abandoned Zimbabwe in her time of need and it was therefore sweet music to the ears of patriotic Zimbabweans to learn that China will firmly support Zimbabwe in safeguarding her sovereignty and socio-economic interests as the two countries treasure and cherish their historic relations.
Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony for Kariba Power South Station expansion project by President Mugabe on Thursday last week, Chinese ambassador Lin Lin said his President Xi Jinping was ready to carry forward the traditional relations between Zimbabwe and China.
Lin said the two countries were both at an important stage of national construction, which has brought many new opportunities for the economic and trade co-operation between the two friendly States.
He said Zimbabwe was ranked first in Africa to attract Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in 2013, which reached $602 million and covered a wide range of areas, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining and tourism. The trade volume in 2013 surpassed $1,1 billion, almost doubling that of 2010.
Lin said his Government would support Zimbabwe’s economic blueprint, Zim Asset and was ready to take part in the construction of Zimbabwe’s special economic zones and industrial parks, lead the co-operation in infrastructure construction, mining industry, manufacturing industry and other fields as well as encouraging more Chinese companies to invest in Zimbabwe.
It is against this background that we applaud this revolutionary spirit displayed by the Chinese in their efforts to keep the devilish work of the imperial Americans and the British at bay. Zimbabwe and its people are blessed in that they have God-given natural resources in abundance and they don’t need prescribed solutions to their problems like what the Western countries are fond of doing to developing countries. What they need are friends who will assist them in making full use of those resources.
The move by the Chinese to keep on working with Zimbabweans is also a lesson to the Western countries that they are not indispensable. Zimbabwe has for more than 10 years now been suffering from the weight of the illegal economic sanctions imposed on her because of the revolutionary land reform programme, but it is still on its feet.
As correctly observed by President Mugabe pledges made by China during his recent visit have shamed those Western nations that imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe in vain efforts to effect regime change.
“So they thought we did not have friends and placed sanctions just because we reclaimed our land from their kin. Let them know that we still have friends,” noted the President.
We, therefore, urge the Chinese Government to continue with its revolutionary and progressive spirit in supporting the Government of Zimbabwe. After all there is nothing that African countries need from the Western countries as South African revolutionary, Steve Biko said: “The great powers of the world may have done wonders in giving the world an industrial and modern look, but the great skill has to come from Africa — giving the world a more human face.”
However, we call upon the people of Zimbabwe not to let the support the Chinese are giving us slip through our hands. There is a need for everyone to work hard so that we revive our economy, which has been battered by the illegal sanctions. Where there is a will there is a way.
Online Reporter