The Sunday Mail
AS Zimbabwe commemorates the Anti-Sanctions Day today, China is one of the countries that have strongly advocated for lifting the embargo. Our Correspondent Wallace Ruzvidzo spoke to China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Guo Shaochun, in a wide-ranging interview that touched on the sanctions and relations between Harare and Beijing.
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Q: Zimbabwe and China are this year celebrating 40 years of cordial diplomatic ties, what are your reflections on the past 40 years and the 40 years ahead?
A: Over the past 40 years, the friendship between China and Zimbabwe has been continuously reinforced against a fluid international environment. Our world today is facing sweeping once-in-a-century changes. New challenges will arise in the next 40 years. But I am confident our diplomatic ties and relations across the board will grow even stronger.
We will continue to enhance our mutual political trust and support through excellent communication between our top leadership and officials at various levels. China will support Zimbabwe in its efforts to determine its own sovereign destiny.
Q: China has been vocal in calling for sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe to be lifted. How are you going to continue with this lobby?
A: On the international stage, China will work with Zimbabwe to push for the immediate and unconditional removal of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe and unilateral coercive measures on all countries. Together, we will stand up for the common interests of developing countries and for a more equitable world order.
Our bilateral co-operation and joint endeavours under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the framework of FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) will bear more fruit. Assisting Zimbabwe in realising Vision 2030 will be among our priorities in the next decade.
The Zimbabwean Government recently announced a raft of polices and strategies aimed at reviving the economy. China is prepared to align the focus of bilateral co-operation with the direction Zimbabwe is taking; for example, by encouraging and supporting more Chinese enterprises to participate in climate-proof agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, tourism and horticulture.
We will continue to roll out programmes in education and culture to increase mutual understanding and affinity. Social welfare will be a focus of attention, as both China and Zimbabwe follow a people-centred approach to development.
Q: At the 75th United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping said no country can gain from the difficulty of others. What are your views on this, particularly in light of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe?
A: Although significant progress has been made in promoting peace and development since the birth of the United Nations, the vision as set forth in the UN Charter is yet to be fully realised. Problems facing the world are big and many. They should and can only be resolved through dialogue and co-operation. In a highly interconnected world, the trouble of one could be the trouble of all. This has been well illustrated by Covid-19.
Sadly, inequality and lack of democracy still plague international relations today. Unilateralism, power politics and “bullyism” keep undermining global justice and equity.
In the case of Zimbabwe, China believes genuine support should be the purpose of international partners in their engagement with Zimbabwe. “Genuine” means, first of all, that support must be transparent and visible, such as to whom it is given and what it is used to do. Second, there must be no political strings imposed on Zimbabwe. Third, it must help improve Zimbabwe’s self-development capacity, especially the ability to grow its own economy and enhance economic competitiveness. The illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe impede social and economic development in the country, make life difficult for all Zimbabweans and hold back development in the region.
A prosperous and self-sufficient Zimbabwe not only serves the interests of Zimbabweans, but also contributes to global development and prosperity.
We must continue to call for the removal of these sanctions and urge countries to desist from profiting from the troubles of others, as it will lead us all to a dead end.
Q: What is your advice to Zimbabwe on busting sanctions?
A: The illegal embargo admittedly creates many difficulties. But under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has been able to circumvent some of the impediments and mobilise domestic resources to deliver development. The achievements in reforms and development have been impressive.
Zimbabwe is not short of resources, be it natural or human capital. The key to translating potential into progress on the ground is to clearly define and stick to a development path that works for Zimbabwe. At the same time, Zimbabwe needs friends. Good-faith partnerships can be instrumental for the country’s recovery. At the same time, Zimbabwe needs to be wary of assistance that comes with political strings.
Q: Has Zimbabwe done well in managing Covid-19, with the second wave said to be upon the world?
A: In recent days, new cases and deaths are falling, recoveries are growing. The latest figures show only about 200 remaining active cases.
This certainly speaks to the robustness and effectiveness of the measures taken by Zimbabwe under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
As one of the first countries hit by Covid-19, China is well aware of the magnitude of this unprecedented challenge. I have noted that, throughout this fight, Zimbabwe consistently upheld the spirit of science and showed very strong national unity.
The Government puts life first, follows the scientific guidance of the World Health Organisation, and constantly adapts its strategies to the changing circumstances. It is managing an intricate balance between life and livelihood, reopening the economy in a safe and cautious way.
The good judgment and mindset explains its effective management of the pandemic, especially when you compare what happens here with the situations in other countries blessed with more resources.
I agree with President Mnangagwa when a few days ago urged people to continue observing Covid-19 regulations such as wearing face masks, social distancing and washing hands. We are witnessing a resurgence of the pandemic in other parts of the world.
The virus is still to be overcome. All countries in the world need to remain on high alert. I hope all of our Zimbabweans brothers and sisters stay safe and normalcy will gradually return to our life.
Q: A medical team was recently deployed from China, must we expect more teams to be sent to Zimbabwe?
A: Last month, a 10-member Chinese team of specialist doctors arrived in Harare, continuing a decades-old practice in China’s medical assistance to Zimbabwe and many other African countries.
Starting from 1985, China has been sending medical teams to this beautiful country to work on a permanent basis for one or two years. The one landing last month is the 18th team. They will be stationed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for the next 12 months. Like their predecessors, they will help tackle the critical and challenging cases, contribute to the capacity building of Zimbabwe’s health sector, and of course fight the current pandemic.
In addition, China is diversifying its healthcare co-operation with Zimbabwe to provide multi-faceted support. Last month, we launched the Zimbabwe-China Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture Centre.
The TCM has a proven record of thousands of years in China. Its effectiveness was recently shown again in the fight against Covid-19. Zimbabwe has a proud history of traditional medicine. I look forward to increased co-operation in this area to give our people more choices in disease treatment and general health maintenance.
Parirenyatwa Hospital has joined a paring scheme with a Chinese hospital, which will facilitate more exchange of information and experience and help to develop expertise in the hospital.
Putting life first is a shared commitment of President Xi and President Mnangagwa. I am confident our healthcare co-operation will continue to grow for the benefit of all our people.
Q: China has provided input into Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy (NDS) economic blueprint. Do you think the NDS will help bust sanctions?
A: I would like to first applaud the notable milestones achieved under the TSP on fiscal consolidation, monetary policy restoration, structural and governance reforms, investment promotion and support for the productive sectors.
The strong leadership and hard work of the Zimbabwean Government and people deserve our respect.
It is encouraging that the TSP, having fulfilled its mission, is going to be succeeded by a well-drafted NDS so that Zimbabwe officially begins its journey towards sustainable and shared economic growth. The new strategy rightly targets some of the most important sectors of the Zimbabwean economy, especially mining, infrastructure and agriculture.
I am proud China has been able to provide an input into the design of special economic zones as part of the NDS.
Now that we have a good plan in place, the most critical next step is implementation. A blueprint will only be realised when all stakeholders render their full support and work closely together.
President Mnangagwa hit it right on the point when he said development would only come from the hands of Zimbabweans and not through anyone else. Zimbabweans are known for their resilience and industriousness. I am confident they will pull together to make this plan a reality. As you forge ahead, China will be there with you to assist.
Q: What is the update on implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
A: By the end of October 2019, China had signed 197 documents with 137 countries and 30 international organisations on BRI co-operation.
A: In Zimbabwe, under this initiative, China helped to upgrade the Victoria Falls Airport, which was a huge boost to the local economy. Good progress is underway in other projects, including the new Parliament building, Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion, to name a few. The Covid-19 lockdowns have been challenging. But with determination, China and Zimbabwe are working very closely to ensure our engineers and workers work safely and efficiently under the new normal.
Q: In your view, with sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, is the Vision 2030 goal achievable?
A: When you look around the world, you will see development is the universal goal, but the means to it vary from country to country.
To become an upper middle-income society, Zimbabwe has proposed a package of development solutions anchored in its own realities. President Mnangagwa repeatedly emphasised on the sectors of agriculture, mining, infrastructure and tourism, which are critical to the Zimbabwean economy. To find the Zimbabwean way, President Mnangagwa has introduced sweeping reforms which produced very good results. I have confidence Zimbabwe will move into a better future down this road.
While Zimbabweans are the only masters of their own future, it is also important that external help is available.
No country can develop in isolation from the world. Over the years, China has been providing genuine support for the people of Zimbabwe.
The impact we have produced in agriculture, infrastructure, health care, education and other social services is gratifying. Greater cooperation between Zimbabwe and its friends like China will create added impetus to development in the southern African country. Removal of the illegal, unilateral sanctions will go a long way towards Vision 2030. With the concerted efforts of all Zimbabweans and the international community, Vision 2030 will come true in time.
