admin
Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
MINISTERS of State in the Midlands Province and Matabeleland region yesterday said Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s visit to the country was the tonic needed for economic revival.
The Chinese President arrived in the country on Tuesday for a two-day State visit to elevate bilateral relations and establish economic ties between the two countries. He left for South Africa yesterday.
President Mugabe and his Chinese counterpart witnessed the signing of 12 landmark agreements to fund vital projects in key economic sectors.
Some of the deals are at various stages of implementation.
Minister of State for Bulawayo provincial affairs Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo said President Xi’s visit, which will be followed by Chinese billionaire William Ding to Bulawayo on December 15, would trigger industrial revival in the city.
“President Xi’s visit leaves us with hope of turning around the economy and reviving industries.
“We’re proud and happy that he has visited the country and promised to work with President Mugabe not only to strengthen relations between the two countries, but to revive the country’s economy and uplift the lives of the masses of people in the country,” said Cde Moyo.
She said Bulawayo was looking forward to a major boost through the Chinese President’s visit.
“Although we don’t know yet the exact projects that will come to us through the signed deals, we’re sure that a number of investments will come to Bulawayo and they’ll go a long way in improving the economy and the lives of people here.
“We’re also grateful to President Mugabe for welcoming President Xi to the country and working with him in ensuring that Zimbabwe is uplifted in all sectors of the economy,” said Cde Moyo.
Cde Cain Mathema, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North provincial affairs concurred with Cde Moyo.
“We welcome the historic visit by the Chinese President. It’s an incredible development. The signing of the agreements will create employment and change the lives of many.
“In Matabeleland North, we look forward to the funding of power projects at Hwange power station, China Africa Sunlight and Lusulu to generate more power and improve the country’s economy as well as create more than 5, 000 jobs in the province,” said Cde Mathema.
He commended President Mugabe for negotiating for the signing of the deals with his people in mind.
Minister of State for Midlands provincial affairs Cde Jason Machaya said his province was excited about the signing of the agreements.
“President Xi is one of the most influential leaders in the world and we’re excited about his visit to the country. It was important for him to come at this hour when we’re in the process of turning around the economy. There’s no other time that could have been better.
“Midlands is one of the provinces that were seriously affected by the economic meltdown and we’re hopeful that signing of the agreements will bring positive results in all sectors of the economy,” said Cde Machaya.
He added that the key sectors targeted by China, which include infrastructure, mining and agriculture had a direct bearing on the Midlands province.
The signing of the agreements is set to accelerate the implementation of Zim-Asset, the government’s five-year economic blueprint targeting the employment of 2, 2 million jobs, among other objectives by 2018.
President Mugabe described China as the country’s best friend at international level.
He hailed the cordial relations between the two countries, which date back to the armed struggle that brought about Zimbabwe’s independence when China provided training and weapons for freedom fighters.
The President said the relationship between the two countries was not premised on the fact that China was a rich country but that the Chinese were people of action.
President Xi’s visit came after President Mugabe visited China last year on a State visit that saw the two countries signing mega deals in the energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and transport sectors.
The Chinese President was welcomed by thousands of people at the Harare International airport, among them President Mugabe and First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe, Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko and several ministers.
President Xi said China firmly supports Zimbabwe’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
He urged Zimbabweans and the Chinese not to forget the exploits of the two countries’ national heroes who made the two nations dynamic and what they are today, adding that consolidation of relations with Zimbabwe and other African nations remained a cornerstone of China’s foreign policy.
China has become the country’s biggest trade partner, with trade between the two countries peaking at nearly $1,2 billion between January and November last year compared to $1, 1 billion for the whole of 2013.
Online Reporter