Harare, (New Ziana) — Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has held high-level talks in Beijing with Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Zimbabwe and China.
In a statement, Parliament said the talks focused on deepening bilateral ties between the two countries within the framework of the “five-star ironclad” cooperation model, a strategic initiative jointly launched in 2024 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both parties reflected on the robust and historically rooted relations between the two nations, dating back to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
In his opening remarks, chairman Wang Huning shared a heartfelt recollection of his 2015 visit to Zimbabwe as part of President Xi’s delegation. Wang emphasized his deep appreciation for Zimbabwe’s liberation history, lauding the gallantry of its freedom fighters and reaffirming China’s unwavering support for Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and development aspirations.
“His Excellency Wang Huning applauded the sound and robust relations between Zimbabwe and China which are deep rooted in the struggle and have stood the test of time. In the spirit of deepening the bonds of friendship, His Excellency Wang Huning mentioned His Excellency, President Dr. E.D. Mnangwagwa’s watershed state visit to China which took place on the backdrop of the FOCAC Summit and culminated in the strategic “five-star ironclad” development cooperation framework for China and Zimbabwe.
“The State visit and the outcomes thereof are clear testimony of the commitment by the two Presidents to strengthen existing socio-economic cooperation for sustainable development,” said the statement.
Wang noted that the partnership between the two countries is grounded in mutual respect and shared goals, focusing on five key areas for collaboration – shared international positions such as the One China policy, expanding cooperation in sectors like agriculture and renewable energy, leveraging AI and green technologies, ensuring the safety and rights of Chinese nationals abroad, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges in culture, education, and tourism.
On his part, Mudenda marked the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Zimbabwe–China diplomatic relations by expressing gratitude for China’s critical support during Zimbabwe’s liberation and post-independence development.
He praised China’s contributions to key infrastructure projects, including the iconic New Parliament Building and energy investments such as Kariba South and Hwange 7 & 8 power stations.
“Speaker Mudenda applauded China for the BELT AND ROAD initiative as exemplified by the establishment of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) political conglomerate with the aim of upscaling the socio-economic scales of the Global South as a counter balance to the Global North.
“In that regard, Speaker Mudenda hoped that China would support Zimbabwe and other African countries’ desire to join the BRICS family,” said the statement.
Despite these successes, Speaker Mudenda emphasized Zimbabwe’s ongoing energy challenges and advocated for enhanced Chinese investment in renewable energy to support Zimbabwe’s industrialization under the Second Republic.
He also underscored the importance of rural development and poverty eradication, calling for China’s partnership in Zimbabwe’s Rural Industrialization Programme, which aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 1.
Wang elaborated on China’s own success in poverty alleviation, particularly through targeted initiatives implemented under President Xi’s leadership that lifted over 88 million people out of poverty.
He encouraged Zimbabwe to draw lessons from China’s Gansu Province and explore cooperative strategies during its upcoming visit.
The two leaders also touched on global economic tensions, notably the tariff war between China and the United States. Speaker Mudenda condemned the protectionist stance of the “America First” policy, calling for a multipolar world order based on sovereign equality. Chairman Wang reaffirmed China’s commitment to multilateralism and fair trade.
Following the diplomatic talks, the Zimbabwean delegation visited the China Railway International Group (CRIG), a global leader in engineering and infrastructure. CRIG executives showcased the company’s innovations in high-speed rail and infrastructure development and discussed ongoing and planned projects in Zimbabwe, particularly in the Midlands province. Discussions included exploring funding models tied to mining rights, similar to arrangements used in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, Speaker Mudenda highlighted the issue of railway gauge incompatibility across Africa, which hinders regional integration. CRIG
pledged to explore long-term solutions to standardize Africa’s rail networks.
The delegation concluded its visit with a tour of the Great Wall of China, a potent symbol of Chinese resilience and cultural heritage. The visit not only strengthened diplomatic and parliamentary ties but also laid a foundation for increased socio-economic cooperation, grounded in historical solidarity and a shared vision for sustainable development.
New Ziana
