Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi in BEIJING
ZIMBABWE is poised to aggressively capitalise on the opportunities presented by its strategic partnership with China and will move to implement a suite of deals agreed by President Mnangagwa and President Xi Jinping, the country’s Ambassador to China Abigail Shonhiwa has said.
Speaking at a reception she hosted for the Zimbabwean diaspora in China to commemorate China’s National Day yesterday, Amb Shonhiwa said her mission is fully focused on translating high-level bilateral agreements into tangible benefits for citizens of both nations.
“There is no doubt that under President Mnangagwa, our relations with China have soared to another level,” she told the gathering.
“I have hosted this event to see how we can make the most of the opportunities available to ensure that we can engage and make the most out of the opportunities available to us.”
Amb Shonhiwa said she is determined to push to convert the agreements reached during President Mnangagwa’s visit to China last month into concrete projects on the ground.
On September 3, President Mnangagwa was one of a few African Heads of State who received a special invitation to attend a military parade to commemorate China’s Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II.
“We have consistently sought Chinese investment and co-operation in critical sectors, including energy, infrastructure, mining and agriculture.
“The good thing is that while having Chinese investors who are into these sectors, there is also a growing number of Zimbabweans who are living in China. This brings scope for more partnerships and greater cooperation that will benefit people from both countries,” the Ambassador said.
She called on the diaspora in China to be architects of their nation’s future by investing back home, declaring that ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ is not just a slogan, but an active and actionable policy.
“We need our diaspora in China to help build our nation’s future through investment. The ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ mantra is a genuine and actionable policy that we are delivering on.”
The event drew a significant and diverse gathering of Zimbabweans residing across China, reflecting a strong diaspora interest in national development.
Attendees actively seized the platform to present concrete proposals and outline the specific skills and resources they could contribute to their homeland’s growth.
