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China’s great pledge

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THERE are several interpretations to the recent visit by the Communist Party of China (CPC), but the most important of them all is the continued consolidation of linkages in areas of politics and economics between the two parties and governments.
And it was no coincidence that the visit by the CPC comes on the back of what has been described by ZANU PF insiders as, “massive behind the scenes bilateral and political co operation lobbying between Zimbabwe and China.”
China has been Zimbabwe’s ally since the days of the liberation struggle and the co operation between the two nations has stretched to the economic front with the Asian giant becoming the biggest investor in the country in recent years.
Currently, a 10-member Zimbabwean delegation is in China to discuss issues of co operation in areas of development.
But for the Chinese this is more than just about friendship, it is about their realisation of Zimbabwe’s potential as an economic giant.
The Asian economic powerhouse has been involved in massive investment projects in Zimbabwe which range from mining, infrastructure rehabilitation and development, among others.
It has also provided concessionary and commercial loans to Zimbabwe for several key projects namely, construction of the National Defence College, Harare Water Treatment and Rehabilitation Project, NetOne upgrading and expansion of the Kariba South Hydro Power Station.
These projects are worth about US$820 million.
China is also involved in a massive agriculture project in Chinhoyi.
Besides these developments, there have been movements towards the sealing of a massive investment package to Zimbabwe.
President Robert Mugabe is expected to visit China soon following an invitation by the Asian nation’s leadership in February.
On Wednesday, during a meeting with CPC at the ZANU PF Headquarters, the ruling party National Chairman, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo extended an invitation to the Chinese to attend his party’s elective congress to be held in December.
President Mugabe also met the CPC delegation and thanked the Chinese for their continued economic support to Harare.
Speaking after meeting the delegation, President Mugabe said Zimbabwe looked forward to waging an economic revolution with the support of China.
“But we will be talking about how we can, together, once again, help each other now in our socio-economic programmes another revolution to develop our countries so the fruits of what we fought for together can be yielded by yet another struggle, joint struggle, but this time a peace and economic struggle that we shall be waging with our natural resources so we can produce the necessary wealth for our people,” said President Mugabe.
“So, we look forward to that and we say to China long live China, long live the people of China, long live our friendship.”
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said in February he expected Zimbabwe to conclude negotiations for comprehensive financial aid from China in three months.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Lin Lin then announced in May that his country would avail a funding package for Harare’s economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim ASSET).
The Chinese package is understood to be in the region of around US$10 billion.
On its part, Zimbabwe has offered to securitise the loan using its vast mineral resources.
“My Government is committed to give our support to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery,” said Ambassador Lin.
“What I can say now is that the two sides are carrying out discussions on lines of credit provided by Chinese financial institutions as proposed by Zimbabwean side using your minerals as kind of security.
“We are looking forward to reaching a kind of an agreement on that issue and I hope sometime this year.”
The coming of the CPC delegation this week to Zimbabwe is further confirmation that the two long term allies are moving in one direction.
The delegation which was led by a member of the party’s Political Bureau, Cde Guo Jin Long was in the country for a two-day visit aimed at discussing bilateral issues, appreciating developmental projects and cementing relations between ZANU PF and the two governments.
The visit ended yesterday.
In his opening remarks during their Wednesday meeting with CPC officials, Ambassador Khaya Moyo said Zim-ASSET can only succeed through the help of Harare’s friends.
“We are now engaged in the implementation of Zim ASSET and I have no doubt that this blueprint will succeed with the help of our all-weather friends, the Chinese,” said Ambassador Khaya Moyo.
In response head of the CPC delegation Guo Jinlong, said his party will continue standing by Africans and Zimbabwe.
Jinlong said the purpose of his delegation’s visit was to further strengthen relations and ties between his party and ZANU PF and Zimbabwe and China ties on all areas of development.
“We are happy to be here and the purpose of our visit here is to further strengthen relations between CPC and ZANU PF and our two governments,” said Jinlong.
With the two nations forging ahead with their ties, it is hoped that Zimbabwe will finally lift its economy out of the doldrums.
There is no doubt with this commitment by the Chinese that good times are set to roll for Zimbabwe.

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