Published by the government of Zimbabwe
20 July 2007
Harare — CHINA is now Zimbabwe's top co-operation partner following the Government's adoption of the Look East policy, President Mugabe has said.
"Currently, we are being driven by our Look East policy and our first country for co-operation is China," Cde Mugabe told a delegation from the Communist Party of China at a meeting at State House in Harare yesterday.
He said relations between the two countries date back to the struggle for independence, which Beijing backed to the hilt and in the post-independence era as Zimbabwe transformed its socio-economic and political systems.
"Now that we are independent and sovereign, we have pursued together ways of how we can transform our socio-economic systems for the benefit of our people," the President said.
The two countries had done this realising that there were areas where they must observe their oneness especially on the international forum.
Zimbabwe and China have always been criticised by Western countries at international forums on false grounds that they did not uphold human rights.
But Cde Mugabe said the United Nations had always found nothing wrong with the human rights records of China and Zimbabwe.
He said China had on numerous occasions thwarted attempts to demonise Zimbabwe at the UN while Harare has always recognised the one-China policy, which it promotes among its neighbours and other friends on the African continent.
"I am sure we shall continue our relations, guided not only by our history, but present circumstances where we must fend off attacks on our governments, policies and sovereignty."
Head of the Chinese delegation Mr Wang Dongming said by affording them a chance to meet him despite his busy schedule, Cde Mugabe had shown the importance he attaches to relations between the two countries.
He said over the past few days, he held high-level meetings with senior Zanu-PF officials including Cde Kumbirai Kangai (secretary for external affairs), Cde Nathan Shamuyarira (information), Cde Elliot Manyika (commissariat) and Cde Absolom Sikhosana (youth) and businesspeople.
He said relations between the Communist Party of China and Zanu-PF and their governments were solid.
Mr Wang said these contacts should translate into closer co-operation especially in the economic sector.
His delegation took part in the launch of the Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association under the theme "All Weather Friends" in Harare on Tuesday.
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