Liu noted that China and its African allies share a common past and destiny, adding that the FOCAC summit will endorse new measures to accelerate socio-economic transformation in Africa. “It’s only in the past 6 and 7 years that we have started an economic relationship”, the finance minister said.
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Xi expressed “full confidence in our bilateral relations”.
He suggested, among others, that the global community build partnership in which countries treat each other as equals, engage in mutual consultations and show mutual understanding.
Speaking after the tour, President Xi urged Zimbabweans and Chinese people not to forget the exploits of the two countries’ national heroes who made the two nations dynamic and what they were today. “This is a win relationship”, says Norupiri.
Before any development takes place, investors carry out intensive environmental impact assessments to ensure that they do not adversely affect the ecology of the region which is also home to the country’s biggest game reserve-Hwange National Park.
A spokesperson for ZPC’s parent company ZESA Holdings said recently that the power utility supported the development of solar power generation.
“Considering what has happened with past deals, we are sceptical of promises of big, megaprojects. China”, the locals will say.
Africa’s energy deficit and sunny climate offer favorable conditions for the growth of the solar power industry in China.
Xi described Zimbabwe as an “all-weather friend” of China. Speakers at the round-table included: Zhang Ming, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, China Nomaindia Mfeketo, Dep. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa; Dr Iqbal Survé, Executive Chairman of Independent Media; Zhong Jianhua, Special Representative on African Affairs, Government of China; Gong Jianzhong, Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, and Dr Yutong Liu, Secretary General of the China Public Diplomacy Association.
With these new projects, the Chinese leader is set to erase any doubts about whether a slowing Chinese economy would continue to provide major support for the continent’s development and about how China’s relations with Africa will evolve in the future.
China will help Africa achieve self-development and create a peaceful and stable environment for long-term progress.
China has emerged as a strong trade partner for Zimbabwe, alongside South Africa.
Perceptions of China’s role in Africa have been mixed. Oranges imported from Africa surged 309 percent, South African wine shipments jumped 84 percent and coffee from Kenya rose 30 percent in the first nine months, Qian said. “Real development is driven not by another $10 billion loan pledge, but by African economies institutionalising intellectual property and not just investment in mines and roads”.
Professor Peter Kagwanja, CEO of the Nairobi-based Pan African think-tank, the Africa Policy Institute, noted that unlike Western nations, China has exerted its influence in Africa through promotion of development and people to people interactions.
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But perhaps the closer relationship with China forged through Focac persuaded China to buy African rather than other commodities.
