Online Reporter
Good afternoon! Masikati!
IT is a profound honour to welcome you all as we gather to celebrate two significant milestones: the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe.
First and foremost, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the CIUZ Choir for their beautiful rendition of the national anthems of both China and Zimbabwe.
I trust you share my enthusiasm after watching the video clip, which vividly captured the memorable moments in our bilateral relations over the past year. Each event stands as a testament to our collective efforts and shared commitment.
Reflecting on these achievements fills me with immense pride, joy, and gratitude. None of this success would have been possible without the dedication of individuals and friends like yourselves.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Seventy-six years ago, having emerged from the shadows of foreign aggression and internal strife, China embarked on a historic journey of transformation — one that has progressed at a pace unparalleled in modern history. Guided by a people-centred development philosophy and the Chinese path to modernisation, China has lifted nearly one billion people out of poverty and established the world’s largest public health and education systems.
Today, China stands as the world’s second-largest economy, the leading trader of goods, a global manufacturing hub, and a rising force in technological innovation.
As a key driver of global economic growth, China not only offers a vast market for products from across the globe, but also provides high-quality, affordable goods that have significantly lowered living costs for consumers worldwide and helped ease inflationary pressures in many economies.
Breakthroughs in China’s renewable energy technologies have reduced the cost of wind power by over 60% and photovoltaic generation by more than 80%, dramatically expanding access to green energy in countries such as Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Chinese ICT technologies and open-source AI models are helping to bridge the digital divide, empowering people in developing nations and fostering inclusive progress.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, China’s development is rooted in a peaceful international environment. Promoting peace and common development has always been central to China’s foreign policy.
China staunchly supports the UN-centred international system and the fundamental norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Over the past decade, in the face of global turbulence and profound transformation, HE President Xi Jinping has introduced the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilisation Initiative, and most recently, the Global Governance Initiative.
These proposals aim to foster a fairer and more equitable global governance system, promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world, and advance inclusive and mutually beneficial globalisation.
Just nine days ago, China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The Victory Day parade served as a solemn pledge: the sacrifices of the 35 million Chinese people during the fourteen years of resistance will never be forgotten.
It also sent a clear message: today’s China possesses both the strength and the resolve to safeguard every inch of its territory. Above all, it was a promise: having endured the trauma of invasion and occupation, China will never impose such suffering on any other nation.
The victory achieved 80 years ago was not China’s alone — it resonated far beyond its borders, inspiring the people of Zimbabwe and across Africa to rise against colonialism.
With vital political and military support from China and other nations, Zimbabwe ultimately secured its hard-won independence. To this day, many Zimbabwean freedom fighters who received training in China and Tanzania still hum Chinese military songs such as The Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention — a lasting testament to the deep camaraderie between our two nations.
Today, we are especially honoured to be joined by several veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, who received training in China during the 1970s. It is a privilege to pay my highest tribute to these heroes.
May I kindly invite them to rise, so that we may recognise and honour them? Ladies and gentlemen, please give them a warm round of applause! Thank you for your selfless sacrifice and unwavering friendship. I hope to welcome you back to China again one day!
This year, as we mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Zimbabwe, we reflect on our shared journey with immense pride. As the Chinese Ambassador, I am especially honoured to have accompanied HE President Emmerson D Mnangagwa on two visits to China, each injecting fresh momentum into our enduring partnership.
Our brotherhood has brought to fruition a host of landmark projects, many of which have been supported through China Aid or concessional loans from the Chinese government: the Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8, the new Robert Mugabe International Airport, the New Parliament Building, the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse, the 1300-Borehole Project, the High Performance Computing Centre, and the NetOne National Mobile Broadband project — the list goes on. Each of these stands as a building block in Zimbabwe’s journey towards industrialisation and modernisation.
At the same time, we take great pride in China’s role as Zimbabwe’s largest source of foreign investment and one of its most important trading partners, with cumulative investments reaching approximately USD4 billion. Chinese investments in sectors such as steel, lithium, cement, fertilisers, ceramics, home appliances, and ICT infrastructure have significantly enhanced Zimbabwe’s industrial and innovation capabilities, while also helping to reduce the cost of living for its people.
In 2024, our bilateral trade surged to USD3,8 billion, reflecting a 24% year-on-year growth. Our trade and investment cooperation has become a powerful engine for job creation in Zimbabwe, directly and indirectly supporting over one million livelihoods. In the tobacco sector alone, exports to the Chinese market sustain half a million jobs.
With China’s recent announcement of a zero-tariff policy for all imports from African countries — including Zimbabwe — we are poised to unlock even greater potential. I look forward to working closely with our Zimbabwean friends to fully harness this transformative policy and generate tremendous new employment opportunities for Zimbabwe.
Beyond economic co-operation, the vibrant people-to-people exchanges between our two nations form the very foundation of our bilateral partnership. Over the past year, more than 1 000 Zimbabwean officials and professionals have taken part in various exchange and capacity-building programmes in China.
The 22nd Chinese Medical Team has travelled across all ten provinces, providing free medical services to over 10 000 individuals. Meanwhile, Chinese agricultural experts have established a new demonstration village dedicated to poverty alleviation.
Cultural exchanges — from the exhibition of Zimbabwean stone sculpture in China to the Chinese film festival in Zimbabwe, and from football matches in Beijing to friendship games in table tennis and basketball held in Harare — continue to foster deep and lasting connections between our peoples.
Ladies and gentlemen,
During HE President Mnangagwa’s visit to China, the two Heads of State declared the elevation of China-Zimbabwe relations to an “All-Weather Community with a Shared Future” — building upon our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Co-operation.
This upgrade marks a historic milestone in our bilateral ties and reflects our shared commitment to even deeper and broader cooperation in the years ahead.
Guided by HE President Mnangagwa’s visionary mantra—“Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” and “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” — Zimbabwe is resolutely advancing towards the realisation of its Vision 2030.
As an all-weather friend, China stands firmly in solidarity with Zimbabwe. We support Zimbabwe in its pursuit of industrialisation and modernisation, and in its aspiration to play a greater role on the international stage — including within the UN, AU, and SADC.
Looking ahead, we will work hand in hand with Zimbabwe to champion true multilateralism, safeguard global peace and prosperity, and jointly build an even stronger China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future.
Thank you! Tatenda!
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Now, may I invite Hon. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri to the podium for the toast. May I propose a toast:
To the good health of HE President Emmerson Mnangagwa and HE President Xi Jinping! To the prosperity of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe, and to the happiness and well-being of our two peoples! To the lasting friendship between our two great nations and great peoples! Cheers!
