Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Xin Shunkang and his wife Luo bid President Mugabe farewell at State House in Harare on May 9, 2012. The two countries have a long history of cooperation and solidarity., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Zim, China urged to strengthen cultural ties
Tuesday, 24 July 2012 00:00
From Ruth Butaumocho in HENAN PROVINCE, China
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Lazarus Dokora has called on Zimbabwe and China to collaborate in areas of information, communication technology, infrastructure development, martial arts and event management.
Minister Dokora said the two countries could explore more opportunities in the construction of the national performing arts complex, training of personnel in e-learning, animation skills, karate and design.
“Africa and China have enjoyed a peaceful relationship that dates back to the pre-colonial times and there is evidence of trade with Africa along the East Coast spanning several years into the early days of colonialism.
“China supported the liberation of the continent. Today, Africa is grateful that China’s thrust in Africa promotes mutual peace and development as witnessed by the many infrastructural projects in various parts of the continent.
“In Southern Africa, my country Zimbabwe and China are exploring opportunities in collaborating in the construction of the national performing arts complex, training of personnel in e-learning, arts and festival events managers, animation skills, karate and design and construction,” he said.
Officially opening an exhibition titled 2012 Africa Culture Focus Photo on Henan-African Culture Exchange here on Saturday, Minister Dokora hailed the cordial relations that exist between China and Zimbabwe.
Henan Province is the most populous province of China with a population of 104 million, and the fifth highest with a GDP of US$20 billion. It is home to four of China’s eight listed Unesco World Heritage Sites, among them the popular Shaolin Temple.
The exhibition, held just a few days after the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation, which will run until August 20, is showcasing a living history of how heritage, arts, human development, sport and tourism are vehicles of strengthening the friendship that exist between China and Africa.
It will also give a review of the achievements and new developments of cultural exchange between Henan and Africa through three chapters, namely Harmonious Henan Africa Co-operation, Friendship Rainbow and Image Impression.
The stories — retold in pictures — represent the new strategic partner between this China and Africa, where it is looking at synergies and partnerships in different economical, political and social facets that promote cultural exchanges.
Vice Governor of Henan Province Zhang Guangshi called for continued co-operation between Zimbabwe and his province in economic and cultural relations.
“The warm smiles on the African faces reflect the open hospitality, filial bonds of brotherhood with which the African people have received the Chinese hand of friendship.
“As a province, we believe, there are a lot of areas in which we can collaborate to the satisfaction of your people back home, and my people,” he said.
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