Online Reporter
SPEECH by H E Ambassador Zhou Ding at the Lantern Festival & International Women’s Day Reception (27 February, the Chinese Embassy)
Hon Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon Jennifer Mhlanga, Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development,
Hon Members of Parliament —- Hon Bacillia Majaya, Hon Chitimbe Pamella, Hon Diana Marikano, Hon Mutsa Murombedzi, and Hon Senator Abbie Gava,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you as we gather today to celebrate two special and meaningful occasions: the Lantern Festival and International Women’s Day.
After the inspiring words from the two remarkable women who spoke before me, I feel my own remarks may pale in comparison — and I want to make it clear that I stand in full agreement with everything they have shared. Yet, given how significant today’s occasion is, I feel compelled to say a few words. At the very least, it falls on me, on behalf of the men in this room — though we are admittedly few to extend our warmest, most sincere congratulations to all the extraordinary women gathered here today.
I want to start by thanking and congratulating Hon Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, my dear sister, for your unwavering dedication to China-Zimbabwe friendship, for your outstanding leadership in advancing women’s affairs, community, and small and medium enterprises development — and particularly for your tireless efforts to empower women across Zimbabwe.
I would also like to take this opportunity to salute all the women present here today for your invaluable roles and contributions — to your respective families, communities, and countries, whether China or Zimbabwe.
Last October, H E Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women that women play an indispensable role in advancing human civilisation. As he put it, “Every woman is a star.” Among these stars, we are truly delighted to have with us today representatives of women from various sectors — including politics, business, education, art, healthcare, and philanthropic communities — whose dedication continues to brighten Zimbabwe’s path to modernization and strengthen the bond of friendship between our two nations.
Yesterday, I had the distinct honour of presenting to His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reply letter to the veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
The meaningful correspondence between our two leaders, and between the Chinese President and Zimbabwean veterans reaffirms a profound truth: the relationship between China and Zimbabwe was forged in shared sacrifice and is sustained by mutual support.
From the struggle for independence to the pursuit of modernisation, our two nations have always stood side by side, and we have consistently transformed our profound friendship into tangible outcomes:
China has remained Zimbabwe’s largest source of foreign direct investment for many consecutive years. In the past three years alone, over 1 000 Chinese enterprises have registered here in Zimbabwe, with planned investment topping 5 billion US dollars.
Our bilateral trade reached a historic high of US$4,4 billion in 2025. Today, the trade and investment relations between our two nations sustain more than one million jobs in Zimbabwe — and it brings me particular joy to note that nearly half of these jobs are held by women.
Yet the true measure of a partnership lies not in numbers alone, but in the real and positive changes it brings to people’s lives: businesses that empower families, scholarships that unlock potential, and clinics that heal and save lives.
In Goromonzi, Prospect Lithium’s “Weaving the Future” Programme transformed a few sewing machines into a self-sustaining initiative in just one year, providing stable livelihoods for local women. In 2016, the Zimbabwe Chinese Business Chamber’s “Loving Mums” charity founded the Hossanna Loving Children’s Home, offering orphans — many of them girls — daily care, early education, and vital skills training.
Through the China South-South Co-operation Assistance Fund, we delivered over 60 000 maternal health services to mothers affected by Cyclone Idai, refurbished maternity waiting homes, and trained hundreds of health workers. Since 1985, 22 Chinese Medical Teams have treated hundreds of thousands of patients across Zimbabwe. Under the Bright Journey Programme, more than 1 400 cataract patients — many of them women — have regained their sight.
Over the past decade, approximately 6 000 Zimbabwean officials and professionals have received training and scholarships in China, including many outstanding women from all walks of life. Our training programmes, university partnerships, and youth exchanges are turning assistance into lasting capacity and self-reliance, nurturing generations of skilled, connected, and deeply committed talents.
Dear friends,Underpinning all of this is China’s unwavering commitment to women’s development — a commitment that lies at the heart of our vision of a Healthy China and a Healthy World. In China, women account for more than 40 percent of the workforce, over half of Internet start-up founders, and more than 60 percent of Olympic medallists in the past four Summer Games. Chinese women actively participate in state and social governance.
China stands ready to share its experience and support our all-weather friend Zimbabwe in advancing women’s development and empowerment, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
Dear friends,
This year has been designated by China and the African Union as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Through gatherings like today’s, may women from our two nations learn from each other and carry forward the torch of our friendship.
A Shona proverb teaches us: “Rume rimwe harikombi churu.” A Chinese proverb echoes this wisdom: “A single tree cannot form a forest.” Though rooted in different cultures, both convey the same truth: development and unity are strongest when pursued together.
May the wisdom of Ubuntu “Munhu munhu nekuda kwevanhu” continue to guide us!
May the lanterns continue to light our shared path!
Thank you. Tatenda. Siyabonga.
