Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube in BEIJING, China
The 12-day Ministerial Seminar on China-Zimbabwe cooperation has strengthened mutual understanding between the two countries while providing Zimbabwean officials with practical insights into China’s development experience, economic governance and pathways for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Mr. Shengyan Yang, Director of the Coordination Office of the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), expressed confidence that the Zimbabwean participants’ stay in China had been both rewarding and fruitful, extending beyond economic and governance lessons to cultural exchanges and the friendships forged during their visit.
“I am confident that your stay in China has been rewarding and fruitful, not only in terms of China’s experience in economic development and governance and creative inspiration, but also in cultural exchanges and the precious friendships you have forged along the way in Beijing, Chengdu, Yilong, Langfang and Xiong’an.
“Over the past 12 days, the seminar has served as a valuable platform for deepening mutual understanding and exchanging views. It has also offered an opportunity to share China’s explorations and experience in areas of common interest,” he said.
The AIBO director highlighted the participants’ exposure to China’s development model, including poverty reduction, rural revitalization, economic and social development, as well as the country’s diverse regional cultures.
He said the programme had enabled the Zimbabwean officials to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese-style modernization and witness successful practices in poverty reduction and rural revitalization in China, the world’s largest developing country and a major agricultural nation.
“Participants also witnessed firsthand the momentum of China’s economic and social development and experienced distinctive local cultures across northern and southern China,” he added.
Mr Yang noted that the engagement was designed not merely to transfer knowledge, but to equip participants with practical ideas that could be adapted to Zimbabwe’s own development priorities.
The seminar covered areas relevant to Zimbabwe’s development agenda, including digital transformation, green development, service trade strategies and cross-border e-commerce. Mr Yang said the experience could help the participants translate lessons from the programme into concrete pathways for China-Zimbabwe practical cooperation.
Drawing on a traditional Chinese philosophy, Mr Yang stressed the importance of building capacity rather than simply providing assistance.
“As a timeless Chinese philosophy goes, ‘Teach, don’t just give,’ and teaching a man how to fish is more valuable than giving him a fish.
“As you return home, you will carry with you not only the knowledge and the experience, but also the genuine friendship of the Chinese people,” said Mr Yang.
He described the participants as important bridges in public-administration dialogue between China and Zimbabwe and urged them to continue promoting the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
Mr Yang said the seminar was a testament to the deep-rooted bilateral ties between China and Zimbabwe, expressing hope that the knowledge and perspectives gained would contribute to Zimbabwe’s development efforts.
“It is my sincere hope that the perspectives gained here will serve as valuable reference for your work back home, supporting Zimbabwe’s development agenda and delivering real benefits to the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
The closing ceremony marked the conclusion of the 12-day programme, which brought together Zimbabwean officials for training, discussions, field visits and cultural exchanges aimed at strengthening practical cooperation and institutional links between China and Zimbabwe.
Blessing Chizhande