Esteemed Chinese diplomat jets in …as President Xi shows firm commitment to Zim

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping’s top diplomat and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi has arrived in the country on an assignment by the Asian country’s leader, seen as a special show of strong commitment of Beijing to grow relations with Harare in 2020.

Mr Wang Yi arrived at Robert Mugabe International Airport last night in what was his final stop-over on a five-nation mission that has seen him hold high level meetings in Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Burundi.

In the past 30 years, China has made it a tradition for its Foreign Minister to visit African countries as the first overseas destination of the year, to show how Beijing values its relations with the continent.

That President Xi chose Zimbabwe as one of the five African countries for the annual visit underscores how he places a premium to his engagements with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe and China in 2018 elevated relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships from AllWeather Friends and Minister Wang’s visit is expected to see practical implementation of this enhancement of ties on the diplomatic as well as economic front.

China is the biggest investor of infrastructure projects currently underway in Zimbabwe and it is expected that the visit will also give fresh stimulus to mega projects such as the US$1,1 billion Hwange 7 and 8 power expansion project, the US$100 million New Parliament building in Mt Hampden and the US$153 million Robert Mugabe International Airport , among other projects.

Speaking ahead of the visit last week, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said Zimbabwe was honoured by Minister Wang’s high level deputation.

“Yes indeed, the People’s Republic of China Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister and State Counsellor is visiting Zimbabwe from the 11th to the 13th,” he said.

“Zimbabwe is the last lap of his five-nation journey in Africa. This is in tradition with Chinese visits at the beginning of each year.

“This is a very important visit because it is from a very friendly nation to Zimbabwe.

Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga prepares to receive Holy Communion during the ordination of deacons at the Roman Cathedral Church in Harare yesterday. Picture by John Manzongo. (See story on Page 6)