admincountries to coerce the Asian country to support the illegally imposed sanctions by withdrawing investment and development assistance.
Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu saluted China at a handover of three flat screen televisions donated to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe by Hisense Company.
The screens will give information of arrivals and departure of flights and improve efficiency at airports.
Minister Shamu said Zimbabwe was pleased China had ignored all these calls to withdraw funding and assistance to Zimbabwe.
“We are pleased that China has ignored this instead, showing a new paradigm in international relations,” he said.
Minister Shamu said some Western countries had tried to demonise China’s presence in Africa and in Zimbabwe.
“Here in Zimbabwe there is a sponsored media campaign against Chinese commercial interests. This idea is to co-opt China into participating in the West’s illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe, through withdrawal of investment and development assistance,” he said.
Minister Shamu warned the media institutions, which were being used to attack Chinese interests.
“Whose war are you fighting? If you are opposed to exploitation, how come you have been silent for more than a century-long episode of Zimbabwe’s exploitation by the West? Think again, think again, please,” he said.
Minister Shamu said China had broadened its strategic partnership with Africa through the Forum on China and Africa Co-operation, a historic moment for China-Africa relations.
“China’s commitment to Africa and its expansive engagement has raised hopes across Africa that we now have a genuine powerful partner willing to assist the continent to overcome many of the challenges it has faced through years of imperialism.
“Naturally those countries, which have always viewed us as their backyard are not too pleased that we have struck this relationship with the People’s Republic of China. They have tried to demonise Chinese presence in Africa,” he said.
The minister noted the role and support played by China during the struggle for independence against Western colonialism.
He also thanked China for supporting Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and hailed the increased growth in trade between the two countries.
China through its Ambassador to Zimbabwe Xin Shunkang pledged to continue supporting Zimbabwe develop and to strengthen bilateral co-operation and friendship.
“Although China has become the second largest economy in the world, we won’t forget about our old Zimbabwean friends and we will continue to support Zimbabwe within our capacity. Let’s join our efforts to make more contribution to the progress of our bilateral co-operation,” Ambassador Shunkang said.
He said China was available to help Zimbabwe whenever support was required.
“It is China who likes to help Zimbabwe when she needs support, it is China who takes the Zimbabwean people as our true and trusted brothers, it is China who cherishes all the more friendship between our two countries,” he said.
Ambassador Shunkang also blasted some sections of the media for tarnishing China’s image and undermining bilateral relations between the Asian country and Zimbabwe.
He said Zimbabweans should not be misled by untrue stories.
“Recently we noticed some stories published by certain irresponsible newspapers, which are seeking to tarnish Chinese image and undermine our bilateral relationship.
“We believe that the Zimbabwean people will not be misled by the untrue stories because our friendship and co-operative relations have stood the test of time and international circumstance changes,” Ambassador Shunkung said.
The three 46 inch television sets to be used at the Harare International Airport and at the Victoria Falls Airport were sourced by Xinhua News Agency.
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi, senior Government officials, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga and Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri attended the hand-over ceremony.
Online Reporter