Zim, China relations key to economic growth

Tanyaradzwa Rusike

ENHANCING Zimbabwe and China’s bilateral relations is key to accelerating the country’s economic growth and attaining Vision 2030.

This was said by acting Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Amon Murwira in a keynote address at the commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Harare on Friday.

Minister Murwira said cooperation between Harare and Beijing has contributed immensely towards Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.

“As we celebrate this momentous occasion, allow me to appreciate the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two countries, which has led to the achievement of significant milestones in Zimbabwe, under the Second Republic,” he said.

“Today, just over 43 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China, the bilateral relations have been tried and tested and they have endured. The economic co-operation between the two countries has soared to greater heights in the Second Republic and is evidenced by the implementation and commissioning of various projects in the health, energy, agriculture, infrastructure development and mining sectors.”

He commended China for continuously supporting Zimbabwe and its stand against the illegal imposition of economic sanctions on the country by the West. Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Zhou Ding said the friendship between the two countries was bearing fruit on multiple fronts.