On September 25, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun and his wife, Councilor Wang Wei, hosted a reception marking the 70thanniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Hon. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defense and War Veterans and National Chairman of Zanu-PF and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon.Monica Mutsvangwa,Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services,Hon. Fortune Chasi, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon, Sibanda,the Commander of Zimbabwe National Army,Mr.Mutsvangwa, Presidential Special Adviser, and other representatives fromall sectors of Zimbabwe, foreign diplomatic envoys as well as representatives of Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese, and reporters from China and Zimbabwe with a total number of more than 800 people in attendance.
The reception started in the national anthem of China and Zimbabwe by the Confucius Institute Chinese Chorus.
In his speech, Ambassador Guo Shaochun reviewed the glorious history and development achievements of China in the past 70 years and attributed these brilliant achievements to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, to the road of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, to the governing philosophy of serving the people wholeheartedly, and to the joint efforts of China and the rest of the world to build lasting peace and common prosperity.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. Today, we are closer than ever to the goal of realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the future, China's future development is like the flowing of gallant Zambezi river, no one or any country can hold it back. President Xi Jinping proposed the great"Belt and Road" initiative, promotes the construction of a new type of international relations and the building of a community of shared future for mankind. All these provide a broad stage and unlimited opportunities for all countries in the world to seek cooperation and win-win results and achieve common development.
Ambassador Guo said that China and Africa enjoy time-honored friendshipand China has provided sincere help and strong support for African national liberation and national development. The Chinese side will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, actively develop the relationship with Africa, adhere to the "five-no"principle, and promote greater economic and socialdevelopment of Africa and Chinese-African relations.
Ambassador Guo said that next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe. In the past 40 years, China-Zimbabwe political mutual trust has been continuously strengthened. Last year, His Excellency President Mnangagwa paid a successful state visit to China, and together with Chinese President Xi Jinping, decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between our countries. The tangible cooperation in various fields between China and Zimbabwe has achieved fruitful results and injected strong momentum into Zimbabwean economic and social development. The people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are active,with cooperation in education, culture, health, civil society, think tanks and media continuously expanding, and the friendship between the two peoples continuously deepening.
Ambassador Guo stressed thatChina always provides timely assistance when Zimbabwe needs it most. In 2008, China and Russia vetoed the draft resolution on sanctions against Zimbabwe at the UN Security Council. This year whenZimbabwe was hit by Cyclone Idai, the Chinese government and people quickly acted to provide a large amount of assistance to Zimbabwe through various channels to help the Zimbabwean people tide over the difficulties and rebuild its beautiful home. Ambassador Guo'sspeech won warm applause from the audience.
In her speech, Minister Muchinguri said that she would like to take this opportunity to convey the congratulation of His Excellency President Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwean government and the people of the country on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,wish China a prosperous future, and hope the friendship between the two countries lasts forever.
Hon. Muchinguri said that after 70 years of development, China has turned itself from an underdeveloped agricultural country to the world's second largest economy. The development achievements have attracted worldwide attention. Zimbabwe also feels proud of thisand is eager to gain experience and enlightenment from China's experience. China is a true friend that can be trusted by Zimbabwe. The friendship between Zimbabwe and China has a long history and can be traced back to the period of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. The Chinese side provided valuable support for Zimbabwe to get rid of colonial rule and gain national independence. The Zimbabwean side will continue to adhere to the "one China" principle and continue to firmly support China's position on issues referring to China's core interests and promote the continuous advancement of China-Zimbabwe comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
Hon. Muchinguri stressed that in recent years, under the framework of theBelt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the tangible cooperation between the two countries has achieved outstanding results. Many projects such as Mugabe International Airport have been launched or completed, and more and more Chinese companies have come to Zimbabwe to invest in the industry. The Zimbabwean side sincerely thanked China for its assistance. At the same time, we welcomeChinese investors to actively participate in the reform and opening to business of Zimbabwe.
Hon. Muchinguri finally said that she sincerely thanks China for its massive selfless assistance to Zimbabwe after the Cyclone Idai and for supporting the vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe, which once again makes Zimbabwe realize that China is a true and trustworthy friend of Zimbabwe.
The atmosphere of the reception waswarm and jubilant. TraditionalChinese dragon and lion dance performances were organized. TheDream Star performers presentedI Love You Chinaand other wonderful songs and dance performances. The Photo Exhibition of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China was organized by the Embassy. It showsChina's development achievements and fruits of China-Zimbabwe friendship. It has attracted many guests to stop and watch. The guests expressed appreciation of the achievements of the new China's economic and social development and contribution to world peace and prosperity and demonstrated full confidence for China's future development. They also expressed their willingness to jointly promote the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Zimbabwe to create a better future.
Ambassador Guoaccepted aninterview of local media such as ZBC, Herald, Daily News, News Daily and Independent, and Chinese Media such as Xinhua News Agency, CCTV at the latter part of the reception. On October 26th, Herald published the main part of Ambassador Guo's speechand published a National Day Supplement to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.