By Michael-Angelo Magadza
In the tapestry of international relations, the Sino-Zimbabwe fraternity has remained strong and flourished in fields of cooperation, trade, infrastructure and mutual support between the two countries. Solidified through Zimbabwe’s transformative Chimurenga, the flame lily and plum blossom continue to flourish in this all-weather community of shared future. As we commemorate this historic milestone from the nations of Greats, the Great Zimbabwe and Great Wall, we reminisce on the profound journey down this star-threaded silk road and envision newer avenues of continued support and solidarity.
The trailblazing camaraderie between the two Republics has remained a testament to the mutual respect forged on a Longquan Sword in the liberation furnace. Born not from mere table-talk or plain diplomatic rhetoric, the two nations began their friendship purely from a shared revolutionary fire! From the bush camps of Mozambique to the boardrooms of Harare, the sable and panda have continued to perambulate side-by-side, exchanging goods, progress, but principally, vision.
When the hungwe bird glides over the vibrant Zimbabwean skyline, it realises this partnership wasn’t for sole diplomatic and political show. Even in modern times, ordinary citizens are reaping the rich fruits of this alliance which has planted seeds far beyond government halls. From the Zambezi-bound Kariba and mineral-rich Hwange, Chinese firm Sinohydro invested billions into the Zimbabwean market to provide everyday Zimbabweans with a more ample and stable supply of energy. The very light you have on right now may be powered by this fiery multinational friendship! In April of 2022, Zimbabwe enthusiastically opened its $200 million gift from the People’s Republic in Mount Hampden, the new Parliament Building, the legislative heart of Zimbabwe. Inherently, we get to see the sturdiness of the ties, through genuine mutual trust, political solidarity and infrastructure. The red dragon has a vision, but that vision always has its beloved sable at its centre.
Trade is the engine of any nation, and without proper lubrication by true alliances like the Sino-Zimbabwean union, that engine will indubitably grind and fail in the end. The nature of this union is symbiotic, both countries are actively involved in the partnership. Zimbabwe readily exports shiny minerals, including but not limited to lithium, gold, coal, diamonds and chrome. In 2023, Chinese purchasing of lithium (alone!) generated the Zimbabwean economy a $500 million surplus. On the tobacco front, in the same year Zimbabwean exports to China brought in a total of $622 million. Some may see this as a form of neocolonialism or pillaging of our dear resources. Others may say it’s simply a recalibration of the economy. The underlying fact is Zimbabwe maintains supreme control over its goods, while securing itself tools for self-propelled development.
Zimbabwe and China have stepped into a new frontier of economic liaison, unseen between many countries, a dynamic we may call “neo-trade”, characterised by not just rudimentary exchange of goods, but a whole new pedestal of technological systems development, digital infrastructure, human capital strengthening and people-to-people interactions. International tech giant Huawei was confidently nominated by NetOne, Zimbabwe’s second biggest telecommunications company, to upgrade its equipment to the latest 5G apparatus, remaining committed in this digitalisation sphere. Through the invaluable support of the Chinese People’s Government, as well as further contributions from Chinese firms Inspur Group and Sino-Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe proudly opened its National Data Centre in 2021, the centralised anchor for e-governance which allows for digitalisation of government platforms and more modernised inter-communication between government agencies and storage of Zimbabwean government data.
People are the backbone of a country. At the junction of the Victoria and Huangguoshu Waterfalls, a river of multinational cooperation forms. Not just of water, but of knowledge, culture and shared innovation amongst these great peoples. Thousands of Zimbabwean students traverse the Indian Ocean to unlock new visions in China. Zimbabwean nationals receive trainings at various universities, including Ningbo Polytechnic, Tianjin University and scores more. Many scholarship opportunities exist, the prominent ones being the Chinese Government Scholarship and China-Zimbabwe Friendship Scholarship. People may get to receive hard skills that they may implement in their motherland, or continue in China.
I, as an individual, have tasted the crops harvested from this eternal fraternity. Every nanosecond I’ve spent in Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport leaves me awestruck at the industrial expertise of the China Jiangsu Conglomerate, concrete evidence seen with my eyes that bricks, stone and steel with vision in mind can bring about tangible triumphs. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I learnt one valuable lesson: a fair-weather friend is a companion in joy but a stranger in struggle. The People’s Republic of China time and time again has demonstrated its devotion towards all-weather friendships and crucial solidarity in all scenarios, not only when the sky is clear. It was humbling sitting in front of the television, hearing on the news of China pouring out thousands of Sinovac and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to support its brother in a mutually shared time of struggle.
One principal way I’ve enjoyed this great fraternity is through the worldwide Confucius Institute program. The HSK language courses opened a door far beyond language learning. A world of Chinese culture, philosophy and innovation unfolds itself stroke-by-stroke, character-by-character. I still vividly remember singing the song Ye Kong Zhong Zui Liang de Xin (The Brightest Star in the Sky) at a Chinese Corner event in 2024. It was the confluence of language with connection subsequent of the emotional nature of the song. Not only have I learnt how to express myself in a priceless foreign tongue, I’ve begun accepting the world from a newer viewpoint of harmony, tolerance, respect and discipline. Confucius Institutes don’t stop at teaching Chinese, they teach a global viewpoint to appreciate diversity and be my own ambassador.
The sable has forever maintained its Look East Policy, going to its red companion in times of happiness and need. The foundation of this Great Wall has been laid down, as this is only the start of the ever expanding long Wall that shall near completion soon. It is now time we focus on perfecting our Wall over the years to keep our diplomatic ties with unbreakable binding silk cords. Deeper investment in human capital development, not just in China, but at home in Zimbabwe needs to be achieved, as development and “neo-trade” needs to come not only come in the form of tangible infrastructure, but in the intangible skills and employment given to the people actually on-ground. The skills transfers from the People’s Republic could also be passed down to the younger generations, so that they not only get in the habit of using technology, but creating their own for their own country’s prosperity. Further transparency could be encouraged, not because the friendship is in doubt, but because true partnerships thrive on accountability, openness and mutual trust. Lastly, both governments could try to cooperate in an environmentally sustainable manner, to preserve the orchard of the fruits of the fraternity we access, and for a more conscious and green scheme of working.
Can a flame lily and plum blossom go on to bloom when not given adequate care and time? Will the Great Wall and Great Zimbabwe continue to speak to each other if we fail to teach ourselves and our children the languages of mutual respect and cooperation? Are we able to keep our revolutionary fire hot enough to forge our Longquan sword sharp enough for the battles ahead? Will the future hungwe birds be able to enjoy the friendship filled skylines, or will they hear of the fraternity as a parable of history? The sable and the panda remain side by side on the silk road journey. This is the beginning. They may not know what’s further down on their path, but it is guaranteed that no circumstance shall sever their companionship.