On March 4, the Workshop on Chinese Enterprises and Communities’ Integration into Zimbabwe jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe and Home Affairs Ministry of Zimbabwe was held at Harare International Conference Center. Chinese Ambassador Mr. Lin Lin, Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Mr. Cui Chun, Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Kemno Mohadi, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Z. Ziyambi, Deputy Commissioner General of Zimbabwe Republic Police Mr. Sibanda, Principal Director of Immigration Department Mr. Masango and other Zimbabwean government officials, representatives of Chinese business associations and Chinese Communities attended the workshop.

The theme of the workshop is “Communication, Cooperation and Companionship”. It provided a platform for the Chinese enterprises and citizens in Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean officials to better understand each other. The representatives from the Chinese side introduced their contributions to the social and economic development of Zimbabwe as well as their concerns and difficulties during their working and living in Zimbabwe.The Zimbabwen government officials introduced the laws and regulations related to safety and immigration, and answered questions from the Chinese side. The Chinese side also donated some office equipments and charity materials to the Zimbabwean side during this workshop.

In his speech, Ambassador Lin said China and Zimbabwe are good friends, good partners and good brothers. The two countries have enjoyed profound political mutual trust with frequent high-level exchanges, fruitful bilateral economic cooperation, and ever-growing people-to-people exchanges. In recent years, more and more Chinese enterprises and citizens come to Zimbabwe, and choose to stay and work together with their fellow Zimbabweans to make this country better.

Ambassador Lin said that Chinese enterprises as a whole operate lawfully, and pay taxes according to laws and regulations. They have provided hundreds of thousands of job opportunities to the locals, and have made great contributions to the nation building of this country. Chinese SMEs and communities also care about neighborhoods and actively shoulder their corporate social responsibilities. He also praised this workshop as a good starting point for the Chinese communities and the Zimbabwean authories to join hand for a brighter future of China-Zimbabwe friendship.

Minister Mohadi said in his speech that China is Zimbabwe’s all- weather friend dated back to the liberation struggles of Zimbabwe. Since President Mugabe adopted the Look East Policy, China-Zimbabwe relations have gone beyond economic relations into a deep-rooted partnership. The Home Affairs Ministry is more than willing to faciliate the coming of the Chinese friends. He said the holding of this workshop is the proof of how Zimbabwe values its friendship with China, and thanked Ambassador Lin for initiating this workshop.