Story by Peter Chivhima
BEIJING has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Harare, with a Zimbabwean delegation set to travel to China in two weeks’ time to benchmark China’s strategies in information management and national development.
This follows a courtesy call by the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding, on the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, at his offices in Harare this Monday.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting, Ambassador Zhou Ding said China remains committed to deepening cooperation with Zimbabwe across the media and cultural sectors.
“Today I paid a courtesy call on Dr Zhemu Soda, and we discussed a number of issues, including how China uses its media to develop its nation and culture. We also reaffirmed our commitment that, as a nation, we will continue working together with Zimbabwe.”
Minister Soda said Zimbabwe stands to benefit significantly from the exchange, particularly in modernising its information systems and leveraging media for development.
“We had a fruitful discussion today with His Excellency Zhou Ding regarding how we can work together in the area of information. In that regard, I will be leading a delegation to China to take a leaf from how they use the media for economic and cultural development,” he said.
The two countries have maintained close diplomatic and economic ties since Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, with cooperation in areas of infrastructure, trade, health and education.
Major projects include the Hwange Power Station expansion of Units 7 and 8, the Kariba South Power Station, upgrades to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Victoria Falls Airport and the construction of the Parliament Building in Mount Hampden.
