On March 31, Chinese Ambassador Mr. Lin Lin gave a lecture entitled "China-Africa Relations – Status, Challenges and Prospects" at the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy. The function was hosted by Mr. Chikanda, Chairperson of the Institute. The students undertaking the Institute's fifth diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy and International Relations, as well as representatives from the Embassies of the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Sudan attended the lecture.

In his speech, Ambassador Lin looked back on the history of China-Africa relations and illustrated the multi-layered Sino-African cooperation featuring equality and mutual benefit in political, economic and cultural approaches. He reiterated that the "growing pains" and challenges on our way to deepening bilateral cooperation should be solved through further cooperation and development. Ambassador Lin also described a brighter future of China-Africa friendly relations and the realization of the Chinese Dream and the African Dream.

The students warmly applauded Ambassador Lin's lecture, and raised a number of questions on issues such as China's investment in Africa, China's role at the UNSC, China's stand of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and the Zimbabwean indigenisation policies. Ambassador Lin answered each question with patience, details and humor.

After the lecture, Ambassador Lin donated two sets of  computers and two projectors to the Institute on behalf of the Chinese Embassy.