China’s President Xi Jinping is due to start a five-day visit to Zimbabwe and South Africa today, with African concern over the impact of the Chinese economic slowdown set to dominate the agenda.
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Mugabe welcomed Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan describing them as “true and dear friends of the people of Zimbabwe”.
After attaining political independence, President Mugabe said, Zimbabwe embarked on another struggle to empower people economically.
Lusulu officials have said China State Construction Engineering Corp will design and construct the plant, as well as build power lines to transmit the electricity and expects to complete the project in 2019. We already have more than 100 Chinese companies who have invested in Zimbabwe and there’s a lot of interest in all sectors of the economy from Chinese investors. U.S. authorities have said they are not considering lifting the sanction on Zimbabwe till the administration spells out reforms.
Minister of Macroeconomic Planning and Investment Promotion Obert Mpofu said Zimbabwe had in recent months put into place various measures to improve investment climate and facilitate business in order to attract foreign investment.
“Yes, these problems do exist in our continent, like in many other parts of the world and their adverse impact is severe to individuals and communities across our land”.
“As you know, he’s only been in office less than two years, and already he is visiting South Africa the second time on a state visit”.
China maintains trade surpluses with numerous African countries, including South Africa, a situation that analysts say should change as China’s investments spur Africa’s industrial capacity and China opens up its markets to goods produced in Africa.
During his visit, Xi is also scheduled to meet South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma and co-chair a two-day summit between China and African countries in Johannesburg. Since the establishment of FOCAC fifteen years ago, the trade volume between China and Africa has jumped from US$10bn to US$220bn.
This historic meeting of the world’s leading economy and Africa is expected to elevate China-Africa relations to a new level.
China and South Africa should strengthen partnership in various aspects, Xi noted, calling on the two countries to be forward-looking strategic partners with strong mutual trust, development partners pursuing equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, friendly partners who understand and learn from each other, and global partners who support and coordinate closely with each other.
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Homosexuality is not against the law in the country, but LGBT people often face harsh government clampdowns – with Mugabe claiming homosexuality is a filthy disease, and claiming Zimbabwe would “never, never, never” support homosexuality.
