Online Reporter
Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S cultural diplomacy took centre stage at the 3rd Art Hong Kong Expo, where the country delivered a compelling exhibition highlighting its artistic heritage, vibrant traditions, and growing tourism appeal.
The event, a key fixture in Asia’s art calendar, provided Zimbabwe with a strategic platform to deepen cultural and economic ties with the Chinese market.
Speaking during the recent official opening ceremony, Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions (SARs), Mr Elias Mutamba, who was represented by Mr Desmond Makosa, the tourism attaché to Hong Kong and Macau SARs, applauded the organisers for providing a platform for cultural engagement and mutual appreciation.
“Zimbabwe is honoured to once again participate at the Art Hong Kong Expo. Our presence here reflects the strong and growing relations between our consulate and the organisers, rooted in our shared reverence for culture and heritage.”
The Zimbabwe exhibition stand featured displays from several Government ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, National Handicraft Centre, and National Archives of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s stand drew interest for its impressive array of traditional arts and crafts, cultural artefacts, and digital storytelling, offering attendees a window into the country’s diverse heritage.
Mr Mutamba described Zimbabwe as a “multilingual and multicultural nation with 16 officially recognised languages,” noting that “this linguistic and ethnic diversity forms the foundation of our vibrant arts sector and national identity.”
The country’s rich artistic tradition was on full display, with stone sculpture and wooden carvings taking centre stage.
Zimbabwe’s sculptures, some of which have graced major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the British Museum in London, are internationally celebrated for their craftsmanship and storytelling power.
Beyond promoting its culture, Zimbabwe’s participation at the Expo also served a broader economic and diplomatic objective to re-engage the lucrative Chinese tourism market.
According to Mr Makosa, tourist arrivals from China and Hong Kong have been steadily rising.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Zimbabwe recorded 8 264 Chinese tourist arrivals, surpassing the target of 8 000 and reflecting a 26 percent increase.
This growth can be attributed to Zimbabwe’s consented marketing efforts and visa policy reforms, particularly the upgrading of China’s visa classification from Category C to Category B, which allows Chinese nationals to obtain visas upon arrival.
“This policy shift has significantly improved accessibility and encouraged greater interest in destination Zimbabwe,” he explained.
The growth momentum had been temporarily disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a three-year suspension of outbound Chinese travel.
However, with China resuming group travel in 2023, Zimbabwe was included in the second batch of approved destinations by March that year, a significant development that repositioned Zimbabwe as a viable travel destination for Chinese tourists.
The 3rd Art Hong Kong Expo demonstrated how art can bridge geographies and foster deeper connections between nations.
For Zimbabwe, it was an opportunity to affirm its place on the global cultural map and extend an open invitation to explore the country’s heritage and hospitality.
“Zimbabwe is open to the world. We invite our friends from Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and the world at large, to visit our pavilion and ultimately, our country to experience firsthand the warmth of our people and the richness of our traditions,” said Mr Mutamba.
As cultural diplomacy and tourism promotion converge, Zimbabwe’s strategic outreach to Asia is poised to deliver long-term dividends, both in strengthening people-to-people ties and positioning the country as a top-tier African destination for art, culture, and adventure.
