Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
A delegation from Zanu PF consisting of Politburo members and directors visiting China says it is keen to deepen relations with the Asian nation, especially through exports of lithium and value addition for the benefit of people in the two all-weather friends.
The delegation is in the city of Chongqing at the invitation of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s Central Committee, for the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and China and exchanging notes on many including governance.
It is led by ZANU PF Secretary for Business Development Cde Elifas Mashaba, and includes the Secretary for Local Government Cde Supa Mandiwanzira, Chitepo School of Ideology Deputy Principal Cde Ernest Dube, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chairman
Cde Cephas Ncube, Secretary for Labour and Employment Creation in the Women’s League Cde Maidei Mpala.
In his presentation yesterday, Cde Mandiwanzira said the delegation had been impressed by the “rapid development” that has transformed the lives of Chinese people.
“This has been amazing and something that we can learn. This opportunity to come to Chongqing has been a learning opportunity, and we appreciate that opportunity to learn.
“To see how much you have been able to advance technologically within the city, be an industrial giant, but at the same time preserving the environment, preserving the cultural heritage sites of this great city is amazing and it is such things that we will take and learn.”
Chongqing city is a logistics hub combining water, road and air transportation, a modern manufacturing base, an important business centre and the pivot for integrated transportation and communications along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and in southwest China.
It is also prominent for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and laptops, among others.
Cde Mandiwanzira said the production of EVs presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to sell its abundant lithium, which is critical in the making of lithium-ion batteries.
“When we hear of your strategy to grow the e-vehicles sector, we see an opportunity to grow our lithium mining sector because Zimbabwe is one of the major producers of lithium in the world, and China is a great market for that lithium.
“When you are advancing in the development of these technologies, these vehicles, these laptops, we see an opportunity to even grow our exports to China. So we are excited about that.
“We want to learn more about how China has been able to rapidly grow in a very short space of time from the ordinary developing country to the super-power that it is today,” he said.
Cde Mandiwanzira said China has been able to grow, but “with absolute humility”, without bullying other countries.
China has been praised by many across the world for supporting other countries, especially in Africa, without placing undue demands in turn, including seeking regime change, as is done by some Western countries.
“You treat other countries as if they were at your level, yet you are obviously much, much greater. This is why as ZANU PF and as Zimbabwe, we value the relationship that we have with the great people of China,” said Cde Mandiwanzira.
He added that Zimbabwe has had a great relationship with China from the time of Chairman Mao, Cde Deng Xiaoping, President Jiang Zemin, President Hu Jintao and now President Xi Jinping and would like to continue with that “great relationship”.
Cde Mandiwanzira said he wishes for a situation where Zimbabwean companies can team up with those from Chongqing and make lithium batteries and generate more revenue as opposed to exporting the mineral in its raw form.
In 2023, Zimbabwe’s major exports to China were raw tobacco which fetched US$622 million, minerals US$502 million and Ferroalloys US$235 million.
On its part, China exported stone processing machines valued at US$113 million, broadcasting equipment US$52,4 million and large construction vehicles worth US$48,9 million.
The programme runs from April 20 to 27.
