By Clive Chiridza

Beneath the Southern Cross and the Five-Starred Sky, two nations entwined forge a hymn of kinship as ancient as Confucius’s wisdom. The flags of China and Zimbabwe emblazoned with golden stars and the African fish eagle—flutter side by side, emblematic of a partnership created in struggle and elevated through mutual respect. As Confucius observed, “The noble-minded are harmonious but not uniform; the small-minded are uniform but not harmonious.” This philosophy resonates with the China-Zimbabwe relationship where cultural diversity and purposeful unity have crafted a model of South-South solidarity. Over 45 years, this bond has transcended geopolitics, lifted Zimbabwe from isolation and propelled it toward a future illuminated by shared aspirations.  

Reflecting on colonial scars, Zimbabwean elders often invoke the proverb, “A tree’s roots drink from the same river of history.” Historical records affirm that during the 1960s and 1970s liberation struggle, China supplied arms to Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters despite the heavy burden and scars  she bore from the Long March. This solidarity was formalized in 1980 upon Zimbabwe’s independence which saw China establishing one of its first African embassies in Harare.  

When Western sanctions cast shadows over Harare and economic winters bit deep, Zimbabwe turned eastward. At the July 2008 United Nations Security Council session, China wielded its veto to block a Western-led resolution justifying military intervention under humanitarian pretexts. Beijing condemned the move as neocolonial overreach thereby defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and underscoring its commitment to a multipolar world order. This stance highlighted the enduring tension between self-determination and paternalistic geopolitics.  

Amid hyperinflation and sanctions in the 2000s, Zimbabwe’s “Look East” policy found resonance in China’s Daoist principle of wu wei (effortless action) which underpins the notion of 'support flowing naturally to those in need'. Key interventions included revitalizing infrastructure, expanding thermal power stations to combat energy deficits, transforming agriculture and mining sectors; and launching irrigation projects to restore food security. As Laozi wrote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” China’s conceptual investments initiatives have reignited Zimbabwe’s path to prosperity.  

Guiding this journey is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a compass for bilateral progress. $50 billion was pledged at the 2024 summit focusing on shifts to “small but beautiful” projects including solar farms harnessing Zimbabwe’s sunshine, upgraded airports in Harare and Victoria Falls, value-added mining and agriculture and public-private partnerships to avert debt risks. Under FOCAC’s framework, hydro dams roared to life, roads stretched like dragon scales, lithium mines were renewed and 5G bridged Harare to Shenzhen. Educational scholarships, healthcare aid and the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe further bind the nations while cultural festivals celebrate shared resilience.  

In the thunder of Zimbabwe's war cry 'Nzira Dzemasoja', Mao’s shadow strides remain visible and tangible to this day, age and era. The anthem’s verses chant his doctrine “The people’s army, a fortress of ideology.” From the battlefield’s echo to barracks’ stern drills, China’s lessons through strategic veins moulds Harare’s resolve with Beijing’s revolutionary ink. The song’s crescendo, a fusion of spears and scrolls binds liberation’s fire to sovereignty’s shield. The lyrics still bloom red: a testament to the dragons' commitment and dedication to 'school' the eagle’s wings. In that regard, China reinforced Zimbabwe’s security not in isolation but on an anvil of shared struggle where every note guards a nation.  

Noteworthy is the fact that no partnership is without trials. Zimbabwe’s internal dynamics and overtures to the West pose challenges. History has  proven that geopolitical tensions, national interests, conflicting foreign policy goals, sanctions, world trade wars, hyperinflation and global skepticism have only annealed China-Zimbabwe resolve. Each trial came as a whetstone  that sharpened trust and reinstated the notion that the duo's pact thrives not only in ease, but even in fire. Shared scars of struggle birthed novel opportunities amongst and between the two. Adversity is the crucible of character and no matter the challenges no future gale can sunder what the shared struggle has welded. “Even the longest journey must begin where you stand” and this is reflective of China’s pragmatism which balances respect for Zimbabwe’s regional ties and international affairs at large with win-win projects. The partnership’s pillars remain firm anchored on political trust (Zimbabwe’s adherence to the One-China principle and in turn China’s opposition to sanctions), a shared anti-colonial legacy and economic interdependence as evidenced by bilateral trade which surged from approximately $1.34 billion in 2019 to $3.8 billion in 2024.  

Building on decades of solidarity founded from anti-colonial struggles to infrastructure revival, China and Zimbabwe stand poised to unlock transformative potential. Past achievements like the FOCAC, Belt and Road projects and bilateral trade lay the groundwork. Future collaboration in the lucrative lithium mining sector, solar energy and smart agriculture could propel Zimbabwe’s industrialization while advancing China’s green transition. Both nations can transcend resource extraction paradigms through mutual innovations that prioritize sustainable Public-Private Partnerships, technological transfer and cultural exchanges. This consortium can potentially redefine equitable development as proof that shared history anchored in political trust and South-South cooperation is the bedrock of shared progress.  

Forty-five years on, China and Zimbabwe march toward a horizon aglow with shared promises. The coming century will orchestrate a symphony of mutual flourishing and historians shall remember this era as the dawn of a more equitable world order. Long live China-Zimbabwe relations! Let solidarity, innovation and hope resound as the anthem of this union! The two countries' flags must weave a new zodiac where the Dragon’s wisdom meets the Fish Eagle’s flight.