Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is taking part in the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War at the Tiananmen Square here.
The President is among 26 Heads of State and Government invited to the celebrations, which hold significance to both Zimbabwe and China.
Zimpapers Day Editor Nduduzo Tshuma is in Beijing, China and is giving us live updates of the celebrations.
China remains our principal ally: President
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s celebrations, President Mnangagwa said China remains Zimbabwe’s foremost ally stressing that the relations between the two states, rooted in solidarity dating back to the country’s liberation struggle, must be preserved and strengthened.
President Mnangagwa recalled his first visit to China when he led the first group of Zanla fighters for military training at the Nanjing Army Command College in Jiangsu in 1964.
During his visit here last year, the President visited the college as he reflected on Zimbabwe’s long and painful journey to self-determination.
“Our relations with the People’s Republic of China date back to the days of our struggle. These relations show that we have a cherished relationship. For some of you who were young, we were trained here.
“We were the first group of Zanla fighters to be trained here. Since that time, we have had a very close relationship with the People’s Republic of China, both on the political and economic levels. So, I am their military product,” President Mnangagwa said.
He noted that he was the only surviving member of the group of fighters he led to China. “I am saying this just to show that our relationship with the People’s Republic of China is quite historical; they supported our liberation struggle and we were the first trained cadres from Southern Rhodesia at the time. China is on the list of those countries we regard as our close friends.”
The President chronicled how, after training, he and the Crocodile Gang carried out sabotage, including blowing up a goods train in Fort Victoria, now Masvingo, which led to his arrest.
President Xi Urges Unity, Peaceful Development on Historic Victory Day
The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) was the first to break out and lasted the longest in the World Anti-Fascist War.
According to reports, in 14 years, 35 million Chinese were killed or wounded. Japan officially surrendered on September 2, 1945, by signing the Instrument of Surrender.
In 2014, China’s national legislature designated September 3, as Victory Day of its War of Resistance.
A year later, the country held its first-ever large-scale parade at the Tiananmen Square to mark the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his country’s commitment to peaceful development in the world.
“We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and join hands with all peoples around the world in building a community with a shared future for humanity,” he said.
Reflecting on the victory against fascism, President Xi said with huge national sacrifice, the Chinese people made major contributions to saving human civilisation and safeguarding world peace.
President Xi, who is also the Communist Party of China (CPC) general secretary and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said his country was unwavering in pursuing the cause of humanity and development will prevail
He called on the people of China to unite and work hard under the strong leadership of the CPC to build a strong country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernisation.
China showcase military might
CHINA on Wednesday showcased its latest military technology during its Victory Day (V-Day) parade here, displaying a wide range of advanced weaponry designed to strengthen its air, sea, and ground combat capabilities.
The parade, held at Tiananmen Square, not only commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression but also served as a strategic message of China’s growing military sophistication.
President Mnangagwa was part of the 26 invited Heads of State and one of two from Africa to take part in the celebrations.
Also attending the celebrations was Russian President Vladmir Putin, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong-un and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko among other leaders.
Part of the the highlights was a formation of electronic countermeasure systems, with five types of equipment capable of aerial and space defence, cutting enemy communication networks, and disrupting digital operations.
The display underscored Beijing’s focus on cyber and information warfare in modern battlefields.
The Chinese army also introduced its anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, featuring an integrated missile-gun platform, high-energy laser weapons and high-power microwave technology. Officials described the trio as a “powerful shield” against drone incursions.
Air defence took centre stage with the HongQi-20, HongQi-19, and HongQi-29 missile systems, offering multi-layered protection with interception capabilities across long, medium, and short ranges. Complementing them were four types of carrier-based air defence equipment, designed to provide all-range protection for China’s growing naval fleet.
The Chinese army also rolled out its hypersonic anti-ship missile arsenal, including the YingJi-19, YingJi-17, YingJi-20 and YingJi-15.
These missiles, travelling at speeds that make interception difficult, signal China’s intent to counter maritime threats and project power across regional waters.
On the ground, a long-range artillery formation featuring the 191 box-shaped rocket launchers demonstrated China’s ability to deliver tactical support and battle-level strikes over extended distances.
The showcase also included the latest Type-100 tanks and Type-100 fighting vehicles, representing the next generation of ground assault capabilities for the Chinese military.
President Mnangagwa hails China’s Historic Role as he calls for Deepened Ties
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa on Thursday morning emphasised on the the importance of history as he paid tribute to China’s role in the Second World War.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People here, the President also welcomed the elevation of ties between Harare and Beijing
“May I begin by thanking you for the invitation for Zimbabwe, and me personally, to be part of the historic 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War,” President Mnangagwa said.
He congratulated President Xi and the Chinese nation for “a spectacular military parade which we witnessed yesterday, it was out of this world.”
“The successful event was a grand display of military might, precision and patriotism. We welcome and fully concur with your call for nations to never forget history and tragedies of war as well as the importance of upholding the principle of indivisible security for all,” President Mnangagwa said
He added that the commemorations would “go a long way to promote the correct historical narrative of China’s great contribution to the Second World War. The spirit and resilience of the Chinese people and their ironclad strength will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.”
Turning to bilateral relations, President Mnangagwa highlighted that this year marks 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Zimbabwe and China.
“These excellent relations have stood the test of time and continue to grow from strength to strength. Our friendship and partnership have matured. Zimbabwe, therefore, welcomes the deepening and elevation of our relations to an All-Weather Zimbabwe–China Community with a Shared Future,” he said.
The President stressed that Harare was ready to embrace this new characterisation of ties with Beijing.
“We look forward to recalibrating our excellent relations under this characterisation in pursuit of joint development and win–win cooperation,” he said.
President Xi proposes to Elevate China–Zimbabwe Ties to All-Weather Partnership
CHINESE President Xi Jinping on Thursday morning proposed that relations between China and Zimbabwe be elevated to an All-Weather China–Zimbabwe Community with a Shared Future, as he held talks with his counterpart, President Mnangagwa, at the Great Hall of the People here.
Welcoming President Mnangagwa to China for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, President Xi highlighted the need for nations to draw lessons from history.
“Together, we must all remember history, firmly uphold world peace, oppose power politics and stand up for international fairness and justice, and make the international order more just and equitable,” President Xi said.
The meeting came as China and Zimbabwe marked the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, with President Xi noting that the two countries’ Five-Star Ironclad friendship had grown deeper.
“I propose that we elevate this relationship to an All-Weather China–Zimbabwe Community with a Shared Future to set a prime example of solidarity and coordination between China and Africa, and in the Global South,” President Xi said.
President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to his host for the warm welcome, stressing that Zimbabwe values its strategic cooperation with China. He said Harare was committed to deepening political trust and broadening cooperation across sectors in line with the development aspirations of the two peoples.
Zimbabwe hails elevation of relations with China
FOREIGN Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has hailed the elevation of ties between Harare and Beijing saying the development will open vast prospects for economic growth and prosperity.
President Mnangagwa and his Chinese counterpart President Xi held bilateral talks on Thursday morning and agreed to elevate relations from a “Five Star Iron Clad Friendship” to an “All-Weather Zimbabwe–China Community with a Shared Future,” that will see a boom in economic relations across sectors between the two countries.
Speaking after the high-level talks, Prof Murwira said the strengthened relationship underscored Zimbabwe’s commitment to deepening partnerships that are anchored on sovereignty, mutual respect and shared development.
“We are seeing our economy being interwoven with the economy of the People’s Republic of China in a very big way,” he said.
“Today’s meeting between their Excellencies was an excellent one where they discussed bilateral issues, but most of all, the elevation of the relationship between the two republics.”
Prof Murwira noted that the partnership extended across critical sectors including mining, industrialisation, value addition, agro-business and health, while opening new avenues for trade and investment.
“We are very excited and very happy that China and Zimbabwe are coming from a very long way and are going far in terms of how we relate,” he said.
“Our relationship is based on mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty and mutual support at bilateral and multilateral levels. Zimbabwe and China go hand in hand, and we are very happy indeed with the elevation of this relationship.”
The Minister said the collaboration brought economic meaning to ordinary people by building foundations of peace and prosperity.
“This relationship we are forging is a productive relationship, which means we are supporting each other in all spheres,” he added. “That’s what a shared future is: a future of hope and progress, reduced poverty, increased wealth and greater security. Wealth is coming through this relationship.”
China Communist Party hosts President Mnangagwa
THE Communist Party of China (CPC) on Thursday evening (local time) hosted President Mnangagwa and his delegation to a welcome banquet, reflecting the deep ties between the two states and their ruling parties, Zanu-PF and the CPC.
Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Mr Li Xi, hosted the Zimbabwean delegation on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Li thanked President Mnangagwa for attending Wednesday’s 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
“President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to your visit and made time to meet with you this morning, during which you reached an important common understanding,” said Mr Li.
He was making reference to a bilateral meeting between President Mnangagwa and President Xi earlier in the day, when the two leaders agreed to elevate state relations from the Five-Star Iron-Clad Friendship to the All-Weather Zimbabwe-China Community with a Shared Future.
Mr Li noted that the commemoration of China’s Victory Day holds global significance, as it not only honours the past and fallen heroes but also cherishes peace and envisions a better future.
In his response, President Mnangagwa hailed the excellent relations between the two sister parties, dating back to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“We appreciate the support given by the CPC to the Chitepo School of Ideology and the training programmes extended to Zanu-PF cadres,” said the President.
“We look forward to more exchange programmes, particularly in strengthening party discipline, building leaders and structures for strong and stable governance, while also meeting the people’s aspirations.”
