On 3 September 2026, H.E. Ambassador Zhou Ding attended the distribution event for China-donated rice assistance in Epworth, Harare Province. He was joined by Hon. Charles Tavengwa, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan, as well as 2,000 representatives from local government, communities and relevant social organizations.

Ambassador Zhou stated that China and Zimbabwe have always stood side by side through thick and thin. From Intense Tropical Cyclone Idai and the COVID-19 pandemic to the El Niño-induced drought, China has always accompanied Zimbabwe in tackling various challenges. The current food assistance fully embodies China’s firm commitment to implementing the Global Security Initiative through concrete actions, improving people’s livelihoods and safeguarding Zimbabwe’s food security.

Tavengwa extended sincere gratitude to China for its long-term assistance in Zimbabwe’s livelihood development. He noted that the newly delivered food aid will primarily support vulnerable groups including people with disabilities, orphans and disadvantaged families returning from South Africa. Zimbabwe highly values the all-weather friendship between the two countries and expects to further deepen bilateral partnership to assist vulnerable communities and jointly address the ongoing food crisis.