By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwean English-language teachers could be among professionals to benefit from expanding economic cooperation with China, following discussions on a proposed trade-in-services agreement between the two countries.
The proposed arrangement is part of a broader package of measures being pursued by Zimbabwe and China to convert their longstanding diplomatic relationship into practical economic opportunities for citizens and businesses.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda told journalists at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday that the issue of professional opportunities in China had featured in the latest session of the Zimbabwe-China Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation.
“Other areas explored included an MoU on Trade in Services to facilitate opportunities for qualified Zimbabwean English-Language teachers and other professionals in China,” Dr Soda said.
The development potentially gives Zimbabwean teachers an additional avenue to utilize their qualifications internationally, while adding a skills and professional-services dimension to the country’s growing engagement with China.
The proposed agreement was discussed during the 11th Session of the Zimbabwe-China Joint Commission, held in Harare on August 26, 2026.
Cabinet noted the report of the meeting, which examined the progress of economic cooperation between the two countries since the previous session in 2018.
Rather than limiting cooperation to traditional commerce, the latest discussions covered emerging areas capable of influencing Zimbabwe’s production, trade and services sectors.
Under the international trade and investment pillar, Zimbabwe and China placed emphasis on directing investment towards areas such as industrialization, value addition, beneficiation, local production and the strengthening of domestic value chains.
Zimbabwe also welcomed China’s Unified Quarantine Announcements, which are expected to make it easier for selected African products to enter the Chinese market without requiring separate sanitary and phytosanitary protocols.
Among the products covered are dried chillies, coffee beans, cocoa nuts and cashew nuts.
The two countries are also looking towards the digital economy, with discussions covering e-commerce, digital trade, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
At the same time, Zimbabwe and China are looking at improving physical connectivity between the two countries through a Bilateral Air Services Agreement.
The proposed agreement is expected to support tourism, commercial activity and the movement of people and goods.
Dr Soda said the range of initiatives reflects Government’s approach of using Zimbabwe’s external relations to support domestic development.
“These initiatives are consistent with the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy thrust of leveraging international relations to create opportunities for Zimbabwe and its citizens,” he said.
New Ziana
