China toasts to fraternal Zim relations

CHINA will this year continue deepening diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe anchored on common aspirations and mutual understanding, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Guo Shaochun has said.

In a special write-up to celebrate the Chinese New Year which started on February 1, Ambassador Guo said Harare will continue benefiting from its friendship with Beijing.

“China will continue to deepen its friendship with Zimbabwe and work for common development with the country,” he said.

“With the courage of a tiger, we will overcome all challenges and leap forward into a beautiful future.

“Looking ahead in the new year, China will continue to pursue high-quality development, reform and opening up, and foster a good natural environment,” he added.

He applauded President Mnangagwa for Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, promising further support from the world’s second-biggest economy.

Zimbabwe, the diplomat added, had attracted admiration and praise with the way it handled the pandemic even from cynics who were predicting disaster.

“In the beginning of this pandemic, many in the world predicted disaster for Zimbabwe, perhaps even taking some morbid pleasure in their imagined doomsday,” said Amb Guo.

“But Zimbabwe has proven them disastrously wrong.

“They were wrong because they underestimated Zimbabwe’s powerful combination of a servant leadership and a resilient people.

“They questioned the commitment of Zimbabwe’s true friends like China to the country.

“President Mnangagwa and the Government of Zimbabwe are never shaken in their determination to protect the life and health of the people, follow scientific guidelines and promote solidarity.

“They kept the country united and protected against waves of the pandemic.

“What is more admirable and winning international recognition is that they have managed to restore growth to the economy under these difficult circumstances.”

China has donated millions of Covid19 vaccines and medical consumables to Zimbabwe.

Last month, Beijing pledged an additional 10 million vaccine doses to Zimbabwe.

“In the past year, our bilateral cooperation in a number of flagship projects delivered good progress, such as the drilling of 500 more boreholes, the new Parliament building, expansion of Hwange Power Station and engineering works at the RGM International Airport.”

In 2019, relations between the two nations were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is the second-highest level of diplomatic ties.