The Group Foreign Editor of The Herald, Tendai Hildegarde Manzvanzvike (TM) recently spoke with the People’s Republic of China ambassador Lin Lin (LL) about the current state of China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa relations.
TM: Your Excellency, you were recently posted to Zimbabwe. What are your impressions so far?
LL: Zimbabwe is my fourth posting in Africa after Ethiopia from 2004 to 2008. Before that, I worked in South Africa from 1994 to 1998.
My first posting was in Uganda 27 years ago, and this is where I started my diplomatic career. So, you may find out that up to now my diplomatic career was all spent in Africa. I consider myself and was considered by my colleagues a half African.
I had been to Zimbabwe a couple of times for short visits. At that time, I fell in love at that time with this beautiful land and her friendly people. Ever since I arrived in Harare three months ago, everyday, I feel the fraternal sentiments Zimbabwean people have for Chinese people. I often come across people on the streets that greet me in Chinese.
Zimbabwe is a country endowed with abundant natural resources and boasts a well-educated and diligent people. I’m pleased to see that under the leadership of H.E. President Mugabe and, with the joint efforts of all parties concerned, Zimbabwe has enjoyed political stability and economic recovery. I have full confidence Zimbabwe’s even brighter and more prosperous future.
TM: How would you describe the bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and China?
LL: China and Zimbabwe enjoy a profound traditional friendship. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Chinese Government and people firmly supported the Zimbabwean people in their fight for national liberation. Our two countries established diplomatic relations on the very day of Zimbabwe’s independence.
I am happy to see that the year of 2012 witnessed a rapid growth of China-Zimbabwe friendly relations. This year, we have enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges. Chinese Vice Prime Minister Hui Liangyu visited Zimbabwe. Mr. Liu Qi, Politburo Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China came to Zimbabwe and paid a courtesy call on H.E. President Mugabe. Another 13 delegations from different provinces of China also visited Zimbabwe. From the Zimbabwean side, about 20 ministerial delegations went to China on various occasions.
We have made great achievements in mutually-beneficial economic cooperation. The trade volume between China and Zimbabwe was 662 million USD in the first eight months of this year, and is expected to reach 1 billion USD by the end of 2012. Many China-aid projects such as the China-Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital and the Defence College were built and handed over to the Zimbabwean side. An orphanage school is nearly completed. The expansion of Victoria Falls Airport is about to start. Within the framework of the Forum on China-African Cooperation, we are pushing forward the building of a middle school, a primary school and a mini hydro-power station. We also made quite a few donations, for example, 14 million USD worth of urgent food aid, 2.4 million USD worth of agricultural machineries, 1.5 million USD worth of fertilizer, 85 vehicles and 200,000 USD worth of office supplies to the parliament.
We have seen prosperity in people-to-people exchanges. Just one month ago, Chinese Acrobatic and Juniors’ Performing Art Troupe paid a successful visit to Zimbabwe. Last June, the chorus from the Confucius Institute of University of Zimbabwe visited Beijing and impressed the Chinese audience with their beautiful Chinese folk songs. Regarding the cooperation in areas of education and human resources, the Chinese government provided 55 scholarships to Zimbabwean students, and trained more than 200 Zimbabwean officials so far this year.
The Chinese side highly appreciates Zimbabwe’s firm commitment to the One-China Policy and its support of China’s great cause of reunification. The Chinese Government and people value the traditional friendship with Zimbabwe, and view Zimbabwe as a trustworthy friend and important partner. China is ready to work with Zimbabwe to further strengthen the existing friendly relations and cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
TM: China-Africa relations have endured the test of time. What are some of the challenges that the relations face? What does the future hold?
LL: With the expansion of China-Africa cooperation, it inevitably produces this or that problem. For example, some African people complain that the massive retailing stores owned by Chinese are bankrupting local businesses. Some say that Chinese companies in Africa bring little benefit to local communities as they prefer to hire Chinese workers rather than local people, and local employees are forced to work overtime while underpaid.
Some of the problems do exist while others are misunderstandings caused by lack of information. For instance, as to the criticism that Chinese companies hired more Chinese workers than local ones, it is unjustified and simply not the fact. According to a report by The Standard Bank of South Africa, of all the employees hired by Chinese companies in Africa, 85% are local. A research institute based in the United States concluded that the proportion of local employees to Chinese employees was 13:1.
In Zimbabwe particularly, I could show you what the Chinese companies have done in providing jobs to local people and making contribution to community development at large:
(1) Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Cooperation (AFECC) has provided more than 5000 employment opportunities for local people and sponsored China-Zimbabwe Friendship Brightness Trip to visit Zimbabwe twice. Its mining company Anjin spent more than 80 million USD to build a beautiful relocation area, with 474 modern houses of 3 rooms and separate kitchen and toilet facilities inside. In the relocation area, more than 45 kilometers of tarred roads have been completed. Primary and secondary schools, clinic, water pumping and purification station and other infrastructure have been built.
(2) Upon establishment of Zimasco in 2007, Sinosteel has only sent 4 Chinese to work in Zimasco management team and employed more than 3000 Zimbabweans directly, while another 4000 Zimbabweans have been indirectly employed as contractors of the company.
(3) Tianze Tobacco has conducted contract farming in Zimbabwe and bought the largest amount of tobacco at the highest price from the local market every year, which benefits thousands of tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe. Tianze also provided financial support to more than 100 orphans, set up a primary school for Betrice Farm and provided study materials and food to an orphanage in Harare.
(4) Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company has provided more than 500 employment opportunities for Zimbabweans. It has built roads for local communities. Every year, the company spends 50,000 USD in donations and other charity activities for local people.
(5) Huawei Company has provided more than 2000 employment opportunities for Zimbabweans. It provides donations to local orphanage almost every month. Recently, the Company donated computers to local schools.
While the China-Africa cooperation is getting momentum, it has been the envy of some countries. China has been accused of plundering resources and implementing neo-colonialism in Africa, which is so untrue. If we look into the sources of those accusations, we will find that they do not come from Africa. The African governments and people instead believe in the mutually-beneficial nature of China-Africa cooperation. A survey conducted in 10 African countries by Pew Research Center based in the United States shows that 86% of Senegalese think that China-Africa cooperation has brought benefits to Africa, and 91% of Kenyans think that China has a positive influence in Africa.
Although faced with some unjustified accusations, we must carry on with the China-Africa cooperation. Meantime, both China and African countries have the responsibility to present to the world the achievements of our cooperation. Media from both sides should try harder to let the voice of our peoples, especially the voice of African people be heard.
The China-Africa cooperation has by now reached a very high level. To further strengthen and enhance our friendly cooperation, we believe that China and Africa should:
(1) Expand the areas of cooperation. At present, the China-Africa cooperation has been focused in areas like agriculture and infrastructure constructions. In the future, we will strengthen our cooperation in people-oriented areas like education and health so as to bring more benefits to the African people. Meanwhile, we will further explore our cooperation in peace and security as well as cultural exchanges.
(2) Enrich the content of cooperation. China will further develop relations with not only individual African countries but also regional organizations in Africa, strengthen cooperation with not only African governments but also non-governmental organizations, and promote exchanges with not only regional powers but also medium-sized and small countries so as to achieve a more balanced and comprehensive China-Africa cooperation.
(3) Improve the quality of cooperation. While continuing to promote trade between China and Africa as well as increase investment in Africa, China will pay more attention to help African countries improve their own capability of development through the transfer of technologies and the exchange of human resources. We will also strengthen communication in governance experience, and enhance our common philosophies and values.
TM: Reform of the United Nations was one of the major issues that the 67th session of the UN General Assembly dealt with. What is China’s view about these reforms?
LL: China supports necessary and reasonable reform to the Security Council of the United Nations so that it will enjoy more authority and efficiency and better fulfill the responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security bestowed on it by the Charter of the United Nations.
The priority of the Security Council reform should be on increasing the representation of developing countries, especially African countries, in the Security Council so that small and medium-sized countries will have more opportunities to sit on the Security Council in turns, participate in its decision-making, and play a bigger role in the Security Council. This is in the fundamental interests of small and medium-sized countries which make up the majority of UN member states.
Given the broad agenda of the Security Council reform, it is important to continue with democratic and patient consultations to accommodate the interests and concerns of all parties, seek a package solution and reach the broadest possible agreement. The “step-by-step” or “piecemeal” approach will lead us nowhere and will only ruin the atmosphere of democratic consultations for reform. It is the shared responsibility of all UN member states to move Security Council reform in a way that is conducive to the overall interests of the UN and the unity of its member states. China will continue to work with all other countries toward this goal.
TM: In 1971, China resumed its legitimate seat in the UN General Assembly with support from developing countries, Africa included. Chairman Mao Zedong said, “It is the African friends who carried China into the UN”. Now, Africa is seeking permanent membership in the UN Security Council. In order to enhance the China-Africa relations, how is China supporting Africa’s bid for permanent seats in the UN Security Council?
LL: China is the friend of all African countries. It is her sincere hope that African countries will play an increasingly important role in international affairs.
China understands African countries’ wish to accelerate the process of Security Council reform and believes that AU Common Position reflected by the Ezulwini Consensus is the aspiration of all African countries.
China has always understood and respected AU Common Position and appreciated African countries’ firm stand on it. We are glad to see that the African Common Position is gaining understanding and echoing.
It is of our hope that African countries continue to stick to that Position and effectively unify the efforts of every country, with a view to making Africa speak in a louder voice and play a more important role in the UN.
TM: You recently celebrated the 63rd anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. What are some of the milestones of the past six decades?
LL: In the past 63 years and especially since the adoption of the reform and opening up policy in 1978, China has made unprecedented social transformation and monumental achievements in national construction.
From 2002 to 2011, China’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 10.7%, and moved from the sixth to the second place in the world. Our per capita GDP rose from 1,000-plus USD to 5,432 USD. China’s foreign trade volume also climbed from the sixth to the second place in the world, and foreign exchange reserves exceeded three trillion USD. China’s industrial structure was upgraded, its agricultural foundation was consolidated, and regional development became much more balanced. All-round progress was made in social programs and people’s livelihood significantly improved. We have withstood the test of many disasters, difficulties and risks. In the recent five years, we effectively tackled the huge impact of the international financial crisis and sustained steady and fast economic growth.
Despite all these achievements, we’re clear-headed that China is still a developing country with a large population yet a weak economic base. It has to feed close to 20% of the world’s population with only 9% of the world’s arable land and 6.5% of the world’s fresh water. Unbalanced development still exists between the urban and rural areas and among different regions. And there are 128 million Chinese people still living under poverty line. We still have a long way to go.
TM: Finally, the power transition in your country Your Excellency, which I understand will take place during the first week of November? Can you shed more light on the process?
LL: The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be held on 8 November, 2012. This conference, held at a critical moment for China, is of great and far-reaching significance for the CPC and the Chinese people of all nationalities to create a new situation in the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The conference will review the practice during the past five years and since the 16th National Congress of the CPC, and summarize the valuable experience of the CPC in uniting and leading the Chinese people of all nationalities to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. It will also formulate major policies and action plans that keep up with the times and adapt to aspirations of the Chinese people, and make a strategic plan to push forward China’s modernization drive as well as the building of the CPC. The conference will play a critical role in further mobilizing the CPC and the Chinese people of all nationalities to continue to promote scientific development, build social harmony and improve the people’s living standards.