Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe on Deepening and Enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation and Building a High-Level China-Zimbabwe Community with a Shared Future
At the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Emmerson Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, paid a state visit to China from August 29 to September 6, 2024.
During the visit, the two Heads of State held talks in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Zimbabwe relations, China-Africa relations, and international and regional issues of shared interest, and reached extensive and important consensus, charting the course for the future development of China-Zimbabwe relations.
The two sides share the view that China and Zimbabwe are good friends, good brothers, and good partners, and have forged a profound friendship in the endeavor to achieve national independence and liberation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980, China and Zimbabwe have related to each other with sincerity, shared weal and woe, and stood in solidarity in times of challenge. Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, the two countries have maintained high-level development of bilateral relations, deepened traditional friendship, further strengthened political mutual trust, firmly supported each other on issues of core interests, achieved fruitful outcomes in their practical cooperation, and coordinated closely on international affairs, setting a fine example of China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation. The China-aided New Parliament Building Project and National Pharmaceutical Warehouse Project, and the China-funded Hwange Power Station Expansion Project, Robert Mugabe International Airport Expansion Project, and NetOne National Mobile Broadband Phase III Project were well implemented, and are the epitome of bilateral practical cooperation.
Today’s world is fraught with turbulence and changes. Instability and uncertainty are becoming the norm, and the trends toward multipolarity and economic globalization are faced with serious challenges. More than ever, the developing countries need to stand firmly together in the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to safeguard the common interests of the Global South amid a new round of transformation of the global governance system. The continuous strengthening and deepening of bilateral friendship and cooperation between China and Zimbabwe not only meets the common expectations of the two peoples, but also helps foster a more just and equitable international order.
To this end, the two sides decided to further deepen and enhance the China-Zimbabwe comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, and build a high-level China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future, with the pillars of political, economic and trade, security, people-to-people, and international affairs cooperation, so as to advance modernization of the two countries through joint efforts and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
I. Continued deepening of political mutual trust
1. The two sides reaffirmed staunch support for each other to pursue a development path suited to their respective national conditions, and opposition to external interference in the internal affairs of both countries. Zimbabwe highly commends the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the people-centered development philosophy of the Communist Party of China, and spoke highly of the great achievements that have seen China score significantly in economic and social development over the past 10 years and more, including the historic elimination of absolute poverty in China, which marks an outstanding contribution to the poverty alleviation and development endeavor of mankind. Zimbabwe recognizes the whole-process people’s democracy practiced in China ensures that the Chinese people enjoy the broadest democratic rights and are the true masters of the country. Zimbabwe holds the view that the Chinese path to modernization offers a new option for developing countries in their pursuit of modernization.
2. China supports the ZANU-PF Government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in continuing to advance national development and rejuvenation, and highly commends the good momentum of economic growth and social stability that Zimbabwe has achieved in recent years. China congratulates Zimbabwe on becoming the rotating chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and supports Zimbabwe in playing a bigger role in the SADC and the African Union (AU). China is confident that, under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is able to accelerate its agricultural and industrial modernization, achieve its Vision 2030 and become an Upper-Middle-Income Country at an early date.
3. The two sides emphasized that a high level of political mutual trust is a distinctive feature of the China-Zimbabwe relationship. The two countries have consistently and firmly supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. China reaffirms its firm support for Zimbabwe’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and calls on the United States and other Western countries to remove all the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe as soon as possible. Zimbabwe underscores that unconditional support for the one-China principle remains a hallmark of its foreign policy, and recognizes that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China. Zimbabwe firmly opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and reiterates the position that it will not engage in any form of official interaction with Taiwan and will support all efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification. Zimbabwe opposes any action that undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and reaffirms its support for China’s positions on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang. Zimbabwe highly appreciates the support by China in resisting the illegal sanctions imposed by the United States and other Western countries.
4. The two sides agreed to continue to follow the guidance of Head-of-State diplomacy, and intensify exchanges and cooperation at all levels and between various departments, including between Governments, legislatures, and political parties of the two countries, to further strengthen experience sharing on governance.
II. Continued elevation of the level of cooperation
5. Zimbabwe fully welcomed and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by President Xi Jinping, and highly appreciates the BRI’s important role in promoting economic development and people’s livelihood in partner countries since its inception over 10 years ago. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, Zimbabwe has significantly improved its infrastructure and enhanced its governance capacity with help from China. Guided by the Silk Road spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, the two sides will follow the principle of planning together, building together, and benefiting together, foster stronger synergy between the BRI and Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, and jointly ensure the safety of cooperation projects and personnel.
6. Zimbabwe highly commends and firmly supports the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, mining, environmentally friendly traditional and new energy, transportation infrastructure and policy consultation under the framework of the GDI. The two sides pledged to play active roles within the Group of Friends of the GDI to accelerate the initiation and implementation of co-funded projects such as the Juncao technical assistance, Rural Community Solar e-Facility program, and Upgrading of Irrigation Facilities. China will support Zimbabwe’s industrial upgrade and self-generated sustainable development by encouraging more competitive Chinese enterprises to invest in Zimbabwe.
7. Zimbabwe highly commends and firmly supports the three new initiatives on cooperation with Africa proposed by President Xi Jinping, namely the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, and is prepared to work actively with China to promote the implementation of these initiatives. The two sides agreed to sign the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Avocado to China. China welcomes more quality Zimbabwean agricultural products to enter the Chinese market.
8. The two sides will enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the mining sector, including sharing of experiences on policies related to the regulation of rare earth and strategic minerals. Zimbabwe will further improve and optimize its business environment, and welcomes Chinese businesses to invest in Zimbabwe’s development of new energy value chains, so as to support Zimbabwe’s efforts to upgrade industrial chains and boost its capability for self-generated development.
9. China supports Chinese enterprises in participating, in line with market and commercial principles, in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure construction projects such as National Railway System Upgrading and Digital Zimbabwe in various forms.
10. The two sides share the view that it is important to enhance liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment， and maintain the resilience and stability of the global industrial and supply chains that benefit all countries. The two sides agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Investment and Economic Cooperation Working Group, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Unimpeded Trade Working Group, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development under the framework of the China-Zimbabwe Joint Economic and Trade Committee. China and Zimbabwe acknowledge a host of major measures taken by both countries to advance investment reforms and high-level opening up. China supports the building of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
III. Jointly safeguarding security and development
11. Zimbabwe highly commends and firmly supports the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. China and Zimbabwe are both important forces for international peace, security and development. The two sides agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation, and the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as climate response, food security, disaster prevention and mitigation, and mediation of international disputes. China will provide a new batch of emergency food assistance to support Zimbabwe in coping with drought and food crisis.
12. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI). Zimbabwe supports the Global AI Governance Initiative proposed by China.
13. The two sides share the view that promoting human rights is a common cause of all humanity, and the rights to subsistence and development are the primary basic human rights. In that regard, they understand the importance of conducting exchanges and cooperation on human rights on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and oppose the politicization of human rights issues or weaponization of human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.
14. The two sides pledged to protect the safety, security and lawful rights and interests of each other’s citizens and institutions in their respective territories.
IV. Strengthening inter-civilization exchange and mutual learning
15. Zimbabwe highly commends and firmly supports the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides share the view that the GCI celebrates and encapsulates the diverse shared values of different civilizations in the world. The two sides agree to cooperate in the preservation of ancient cultural heritages, folklore and traditional knowledge as they form the bedrock of human civilization. China and Zimbabwe acknowledge the importance of strengthening exchanges and cooperation in such fields as science, education, art, sports, media and tourism. The two sides agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Media Exchange and Cooperation. Zimbabwe commends the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations established at the proposal of China.
16. China is prepared to strengthen human resources cooperation with Zimbabwe, and to continue to provide Government scholarships and training opportunities for Zimbabwe.
17. China will actively support the building of Zimbabwe’s public health system, continue to dispatch medical teams to Zimbabwe, strengthen cooperation between the paired hospitals, and work toward carrying out the Bright Journey Program of free cataract treatment in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing support for Zimbabwe in the field of health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and calls for the continued support to build resilience against future pandemics.
V. Jointly defending international justice
18. Zimbabwe highly appreciates and firmly supports the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping, commends President Xi Jinping for championing the humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, and endorses China’s call for an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. The two sides are committed to working together to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
19. The two sides share the view that it is imperative to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations (U.N.) as its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and practice true multilateralism.
20. The two sides share the view that the BRICS cooperation mechanism is an important platform for cooperation among developing countries and emerging markets, and is conducive to promoting a more just and equitable international order. Zimbabwe highly commends China for being the first G20 member state to support the AU’s full membership in the G20.
21. Zimbabwe appreciates the important role played by China in promoting political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and supporting the Palestinian people’s just cause, and is willing to actively support and join the Common Understandings on Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis to promote deescalation and create conditions for a ceasefire. Both sides share the view that the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine should not shift global attention from other hotspots across the world including in Africa.
The two sides highly commends the important role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in spearheading high-level China-Africa cooperation and promoting China-Zimbabwe bilateral relations over the past 24 years since its inception. In this connection, they look forward to the full success of the upcoming FOCAC summit and are convinced that this summit will open a new charter of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, provide new opportunities for Africa’s development and prosperity, and add strong certainty to global peace and stability.
The two sides share the view that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state visit to China is a resounding success and carries great significance for building a high-level China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future. President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed sincere appreciation to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people for their warm hospitality during the visit. President Emmerson Mnangagwa invited President Xi Jinping to visit Zimbabwe again at his convenience.