China-Zimbabwe Relations Hailed

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China during a trip to that socialist nation. Zimbabwe has developed closer ties with the PRC over the decades., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Sino-Zim relations hailed

Saturday, 24 September 2011 02:00
Herald Reporter

RELATIONS between Zimbabwe and China are taking a new turn because of various opportunities that continue to avail themselves, Chinese Ambassador, Mr Xin Shunkang, has said.

Mr Shunkang was speaking at a reception to mark the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Thursday.

"With the precious friendship between our peoples, China and Zimbabwe have experienced unordinary three decades," he said.

"Taking this opportunity, I would like to give sincere thanks to all Zimbabweans and other friends for your precious contribution to strengthening and promoting the friendship between China and Zimbabwe. Let's continue making joint efforts to greet a brighter future of our relations which will surely be constantly strengthened and developed in the new era."

Mr Shunkang said 2011 was another fruitful year for the China-Zimbabwe relationship as evidenced by frequent high-level exchanges.
During the year, Chinese Vice Premier, Mr Wang Qishan, Foreign Minister, Mr Yang Jiechi, Air Chief Marshal Xu Qiliang and Vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Li Wuwei, visited Zimbabwe.

More than 10 delegations from different provinces of China came to Zimbabwe to explore cooperation opportunities.

Vice President, Cde John Landa Nkomo, led a high-powered delegation to China, where he held meetings with the authorities.

"We have made great achievements in economic and trade cooperation," said Mr Shunkang.

"The living standards of Chinese people have been greatly improved, while the political, cultural and social building has achieved remarkable progress and the international status of China has significantly been elevated."

Mr Shunkang said China was building two rural schools and an agricultural demonstration centre in Zimbabwe, with the China-Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital nearing completion.

China has also promised to construct a middle school, a primary school, a mini-hydro power station, a solar power project and a borehole drilling project.

The Chinese Government recently availed food worth US$14 million that would be distributed to areas affected by drought last season.

Mr Shunkang said the birth of the new China 62 years ago marked a new chapter in Chinese history.

He said China's economic and social development had been remarkable.

From 1979 to 2010, China's GDP jumped from US$226 billion to US$5,8 trillion, elevating the country's ranking in the world economy to second place.

The Asian country has become the world's number two importer and number one exporter, with the trading volume amounting to nearly three trillion last year.

China has also attracted over US$700 billion of foreign investment over the past decade.