Ambassador Zhou Ding
IT is my great pleasure to have you all join me in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in this Jacaranda blooming season.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have long been supporting China and contributing to China-Zimbabwe relations, and my congratulations to all the Chinese compatriots in Zimbabwe.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have achieved historic feats on the path to Chinese modernisation, transforming China from an impoverished and war-torn country into a thriving one.
Adhering to a people-centred development philosophy, China has lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty, set up the world’s largest educational system, social security system and medical care system.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC held this year has set the overall goals of further deepening comprehensive reform and opening up.
China is determined to further advance Chinese modernisation, characterised by common prosperity for all, material and cultural-ethical progress, harmony between humanity and nature, and peaceful development.
Dear friends, in the past year, China has effectively responded to various risks and challenges, and continued to inject new impetus into world peace and development.
With 5,2 percent gross domestic product growth, China remains the world’s second-largest economy and the largest trading country in goods, standing as a stabiliser and source of strength despite the rising instability and uncertainty in the global economy.
China’s innovation-driven development has kept yielding fruitful outcomes.
China’s new energy vehicle production and sales account for over 60 percent of the world, 70 percent of the world’s photovoltaic equipment and 60 percent of wind power equipment are manufactured in China, giving a strong boost to the global green transition and sustainable development.
China is making the steepest cuts in the world to carbon emissions, making tremendous contributions to global climate change response.
China ranks first in terms of e-commerce and mobile payment transactions in the world. According to the newly released Global Innovation Index (GII), China ranks the first among the upper middle-income economy and remains the only middle-income economy in the GII top 30.
Dear friends, China has always acted as the defender, builder and contributor of international order.
China unswervingly defends the United Nations-centred international system, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, which contribute Chinese solutions to improving global governance, responding to global challenges.
China supports true multilateralism that is based on international law, in accordance with the principle of equity and justice, in pursuit of win-win cooperation.
China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.
The recently concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has set a new monument for China-Africa relations and a stellar example for South-South cooperation.
It sends a strong message of China and Africa seeking common development, and demonstrates the firm determination of the Global South to work together in solidarity.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, in the past year, China-Zimbabwe relations have achieved an all-round leap, with His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State visit to China as the highlight.
The historic visit marks a new milestone in our bilateral relations.
The two Heads of States, His Excellency President Xi Jinping and His Excellency President Mnangagwa, agreed to establish a “five-star ironclad” cooperation framework.
The two sides issued a joint statement on deepening and enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and building a high-level China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future.
Seventeen documents of cooperation were signed.
I personally had the honour of accompanying His Excellency’s delegation all the way during the visit.
There have been so many memorable moments during this visit, . . . and, of course, His Excellency’s trip down memory lane at the military college in Nanjing, where he honed his military skills in the 1960s, is among the most touching.
Dear friends, over the past year, the frequent high-level exchanges have truly intensified our relations.
More than 10 Zimbabwean ministers have paid fruitful visits to China, while some senior Chinese government officials also visited Zimbabwe.
The past year has also witnessed fruitful results in our practical cooperation.
China has remained Zimbabwe’s largest source of investment and major trading partner.
Our two-way trade volume reached a record high of US$312 billion in 2023, with a year-on-year increase of 30 percent.
Chinese companies continue to increase investment in Zimbabwe, generating huge foreign exchange income and tax revenue, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and addressing infrastructure needs and energy deficits for our all-weather friend, Zimbabwe.
In the past year, both the new Parliament building and the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project, supported by China, have been fully completed and handed over to Zimbabwe.
In response to Zimbabwe’s food shortage caused by the El Niño-induced drought, China has delivered two batches of food assistance worth 40 million RMB; another two batches worth 80 million RMB will be delivered soon to address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable communities.
After more than 1 000 China-aided boreholes across the country being completed, another 300 boreholes project, supported with a Chinese government grant, is being implemented.
To promote rural development and poverty reduction, China intends to build 100 solar-powered facilities and to upgrade multiple irrigation systems for Zimbabwe in the next couple of years.
In the past year, the China medical team has treated over 6 200 patients across the country. They have also set up a telemedicine service platform and trained more than 150 local doctors and nurses.
Next year, they aim to deliver free medical services to more than 10 000 people in 10 provinces. Another medical team from China will come to carry out the Brightness Action programme, performing free cataract surgeries on 600 patients from the most vulnerable communities.
The Chinese Agricultural Experts Group continues to assist rural communities to upgrade agricultural facilities and improve agricultural skills.
Meanwhile, our embassy has continued our efforts to empower Zimbabwean youth, women and vulnerable groups through our Hope Harbour Projects.
I feel deeply encouraged by the fact that Chinese companies in Zimbabwe have spent more than US$100 million on more than 70 CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects in the past 10 years to benefit local communities. Our educational and cultural programmes continue to complement the Zimbabwe Government’s effort in attaining the goals of Heritage-Based Education 5.0.
In the past year, China provided more than 100 scholarships to Zimbabwean students.
Around 700 Zimbabwean friends from all walks of life have attended various training programmes in China.
During the FOCAC summit, we proudly held the China-Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture Exhibition in Beijing.
Zimbabwe’s traditional arts are now enjoying greater popularity in China.
As a Chinese saying goes, “When brothers are of the same mind, they can cut metal through.”
There is also an African saying that goes: “If you want to go far, go together.”
Looking ahead, China and Zimbabwe will continue to stand together through thick and thin. China will always be a trustworthy partner on Zimbabwe’s path to modernisation and Vision 2030.
Dear friends, today we chose the African Heritage Village to celebrate the Chinese National Day, as we understand that the African heritage is the common heritage of the whole world, which provides wisdom, inspiration and strength for our common future. Just as President Mnangagwa said during his visit to China: “Our development must be based on who we are, and we should not lose our characteristics.”
Speech by Ambassador Zhou Ding at the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in Harare on Friday.