On 8th July, H.E. Ambassador Zhou Ding addressed the First Harare Forum for Africa and China-Zimbabwe Civilizational Dialogue Academic Week, themed “Mutual Learning between Chinese and Zimbabwean Civilizations and Rural Development Cooperation”, which was co-hosted by the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center, Heyang Institute for Rural Studies, Tsinghua Institute of Culture & Creativity and a number of Zimbabwean think tanks. Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Develop of Zimbabwe and about 120 representatives from Tsinghua University, China-Zimbabwe Exchange Centre, Zimbabwean mainstream media and think tanks participated in the event.

Ambassador Zhou commended the forum's pioneering role in promoting cultural and educational exchanges, facilitating trade and economic cooperation, and supporting Zimbabwe's rural revitalization. He pointed out that frequent mutual visits and exchanges between China and Zimbabwe have strengthened bilateral relations and contributed to Zimbabwe's economic and social progress, including Zimbabwe's rural development. As an all-weather friend of Zimbabwe, China has prioritized food security and rural poverty reduction as main areas of cooperation. More practical livelihood projects including food assistance, borehole drilling, rehabilitation of irrigation system will materialize in the near future to facilitate the realization of Zimbabwe's Rural Development 8.0 Strategy and Vision 2030.

Hon. Minister Mutsvangwa thanked China for its invaluable support to Zimbabwe over the years, and hoped to work with the industrious and courageous Chinese people to promote the practical bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding in various fields, and to facilitate the realization of a “Prosperous and Upper-Middle Income Society”.