Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in BEIJING, China
ZIMBABWE is inspired by China’s remarkable victory against extreme poverty, a feat regarded as one of the greatest achievements of the modern era under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a top Government official has said.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-week Seminar for Media Professionals for Zimbabwe here on Wednesday, Chief Director of Government Messaging and Programmes in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Jonathan Gandari, said Zimbabwe was drawing important lessons from China’s rapid transformation and commitment to national development.
“China’s victory against extreme poverty stands as one of the greatest achievements of our modern era,” said Mr Gandari.
“This achievement by the CCP leadership sends a powerful message to us: that poverty can be defeated.”
Mr Gandari said Zimbabwe was particularly encouraged by China’s modernisation journey, which has seen once underdeveloped regions transformed into thriving economic centres through visionary leadership and strategic investment.
“Zimbabwe draws great encouragement from China’s modernisation journey. One of the highlights of our visit was undoubtedly our time in Chongqing — China’s famous ‘8D city’,” he said.
“What moved us was learning about Chongqing’s transformation. A city that was once considered remote and underdeveloped has now become a global hub of technology, logistics, manufacturing and international trade.”
Mr Gandari said Chongqing’s rise into a major international economic centre demonstrated the effectiveness of focused leadership and long-term national planning.
“Through focused leadership and strategic investment, Chongqing has become a critical gateway within the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting China to Asia, Europe and beyond through trade corridors and modern infrastructure,” said Mr Gandari.
The senior Government official also commended China’s success in rural development, saying the visit had given delegates fresh insights into how targeted programmes can uplift communities and improve livelihoods.
“This visit to the modern village gave us a new world view of the fruits of targeted rural development,” he said.
Mr Gandari added that the experience had also provided valuable lessons for media practitioners and Government communicators.
“For media professionals, Chongqing showed us what is possible when a country implements its vision and commits itself fully to serve its people,” he said.
Mr Gandari reaffirmed the enduring relations between Zimbabwe and China, describing the ties between the two nations as invaluable.
“The relationship between us as all-weather friendship is invaluable to both our countries,” he said.
China has in recent years emerged as a global example in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty while modernising its cities and rural communities through sustained economic reforms and strategic planning.
Zimbabwe continues to strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure development, trade, technology transfer and investment as the country pursues Vision 2030 and broader economic transformation initiatives.
