By Elizabeth Sitotombe
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is currently in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is running under the theme, ‘Collaborating to Promote Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community for a Shared Future’.
He is also on a State visit.
FOCAC was established in 2000 as a multilateral partnership platform between China and 53 African states.
China advocates, within FOCAC, its Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence — mutual respect for territory and sovereignty; peaceful co-existence; equality and mutual benefit; mutual non-aggression; and mutual non-interference.
It is held every three years, rotating between China and Africa.
President Mnangagwa revisited Nanjing Army Command College in China’s Jiangsu Province and walked down memory lane.
The first group of five recruits from the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) underwent training in military science in 1964, led by President Mnangagwa.
His counterparts, who are all late, included Cde James Mudavanhu, Cde Edson Shirihuru, Cde John Shonhiwa and Cde Lawrence Svosve.
“I was here 62 years ago. We came here, when I did my first military training. I was here for about 10 months and I am so happy that I have come back. We came here in 1964 and I’m so happy that l have come back again.
“However, back then the facilities were different. We were five and out of those five, it was only me who survived. We came here to train, and we studied our revolutionary (ethos) here in the People’s Republic of China,” recalled President Mnangagwa.
He reflected on his time in China when he was only 20 years old.
“I don’t know how to repay you, because it was this institution that trained us in the then armed struggle. I think you should feel proud that it is this institution that trained the first group of cadres to liberate Zimbabwe,” said the President.
The College Senior Colonel Ma Qixian at Nanjing School praised His Excellency for how much he has given back to his country and highlighted their pride in him as their former student; for making his lessons at the school worthwhile.
The President also met with the Communist Party of China (CPC) party secretary for Jiangsu Province, Xin Changcxin. The two held fruitful talks focusing on how to further strengthen relations between the two countries.
China, Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend, has been part and parcel in the implementation of projects such as the construction of the Mew Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, the expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the upgrading of the Victoria Falls International Airport, among other projects. All these structures have been constructed to world-class standards, thereby enhancing the country’s infrastructural portfolio.
China’s President Xi Jinping also congratulated Zimbabwe on becoming the Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He reiterated China’s willingness to step up cooperation with Zimbabwe to safeguard international fairness and justice.
President Xi thanked Zimbabwe for speaking up for China on the international stage, while President Mnangagwa reciprocated by lauding China for boldly speaking out against the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe following its successful land reform programme.
Zimbabwe has stood with China through thick and thin and vice versa.
For over 60 years the relationship has remained steadfast.
During his most recent visit, President Mnangagwa held a meeting with chairman Bi Yanchun of China Rail International Group in Beijing, with their discussions centering on enhancing Zimbabwe’s rail infrastructure. These have been ongoing discussions on the group’s partnership with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) towards the expansion of the country’s railway system.
He also toured Lutang Village in Yongan Town, Liuyang City, a new modern rural countryside,
President Mnangagwa also signed 17 cooperation agreements with China, focusing on trade. In an interview with the Global Times, the executive director of the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre, Munetsi Madakufamba, said: “The development approach and cooperation between China and Africa are a win-win partnership emphasising the importance of understanding each other’s context, circumstances, and development priorities. If you look at the development experienceof Africa and in terms of co-operation with the West, it has been a kind of relationship of one side exploiting the other, which is unbalanced development.