Zimbabwe, which became a pariah in the West after President Robert Mugabe’s government was accused of rigging votes and abusing human rights, has increasingly turned to China for investment to help an economy desperate for new infrastructure like roads, power and water.
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Cabinet ministers said the government is hoping for increased economic and trade cooperation with China in the wake of Xi’s visit.
They said the visit confirmed the solidification of relations between Harare and Beijing.
Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees – who is also former Zimbabwean ambassador to China – Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, said anyone doubting the significance of President Xi’s visit should have their heads examined.
During his stay in Africa, the Chinese president is expected to announce new measures to help Africa with industrialization, food security, public health and disease prevention, says Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Mugabe looked sharp as he welcomed Xi at the Harare International Airport shortly after 10am yesterday.
This was evident in the Zimbabwean visit, where Xi signed several investment deals involving key sectors, including power generation, construction and communications.
Others wore T-shirts praising the friendship between Zimbabwe and China.
“The Chinese investors are becoming quite strong in terms of their investments in Zimbabwe”.
Chinese companies are taking the lead in developing clean energy in Africa, a continent with huge energy deficit, particularly Zimbabwe, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi is to meet President Jacob Zuma before co-chairing the Forum for China-Africa Co-operation in Johannesburg.
Therefore because of its position in the global economy, the world can not afford to ignore when China commits its investment in countries such as Zimbabwe.
In July, Zimbabwe’s French-backed PER Lusulu Power signed an agreement with China State Construction Engineering Corp Ltd to build a $1.1 billion coal power station starting in April 2016, with the 600MW plant being the first phase of a 2 000 MW project.
China has been one of Zimbabwe’s biggest supporters.
To those who might be alarmed at the slowdown of the Chinese economy, Wang gave the assurance that China still expected to import over 10 trillion U.S. dollars worth of goods, invest over 500 billion United States dollars overseas, and see more than 500 million Chinese tourists travel abroad over the next five years. Data released at the Zimbabwe-China Business Forum held on Monday shows Zimbabwe is now Chinese investors’ 6th most preferred destination in Africa.
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The Republic of Congo, Angola and Mauritania are African nations most exposed to China’s slowdown because nearly half of their exports go to the Asian nation, according to data from the International Monetary Fund. Oil accounts for the bulk of exports from Congo and Angola, while iron ore makes up more than 40 percent of Mauritania’s exports.
