2018年CRI Mnangawa: China visit a huge success（在线收听）

Zimbabwea's President is back in Harare, suggesting his trip to Chins this past week has been an overwhelming success.

CRI's correspondent Gao Junya with more from Harare.

In a brief exchange with the media after arriving in Harare from his first state visit to China, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has lauded the visit as a success story.

"The trip was a huge, massive success. We were able to go over our relations. We have since now escalated from all-weather friendship status to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership and cooperation. This is the highest level which China has with other nations."

Unlocking substantial Chinese investment has been one of the priorities during his five-day visit. 

Mnangagwa himself held two economic conferences, introducing the economic policies of his new government to Chinese investors.

Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sibusiso Moyo, who was part of the delegation to China, notes a number of Chinese-invested projects are going to be implemented soon. 

"Specifically, projects which were rejuvenated included the key economic enablers like 7 and 8 (units of the Hwange) Thermal Power Station. The construction of the new Parliament of Zimbabwe, the rejuvenation of Robert Mugabe International airport and the expansion of phase 3 of NetOne programs."

Mnangawa: China visit a huge success

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso Moyo, briefs reporters at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Moyo is among the Zimbabwean delegation which concludes a visit to China. [Photo: China Plus/Gao Junya]

Aside from cooperation on an intergovernmental level, the private sectors of the two countries also actively participated in bilateral exchanges.

Mike Bimha, head of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, suggests the unprecedented support from private sectors will contribute to Zimbabwe's development.

He says the Zimbabwe government is determined back them.

"For the first time there is overwhelming support for our private sector. 75 members leaving Harare to Beijing and Guangzhou using their own resources this has never happened. so there have been a lot of agreements that have been signed by the private sector in China, in our private sector which I think is very good news for us and we are going to continue to facilitate that."

Chinese investors are also set to put money into the construction of a pharmaceutical warehouse in Harare.

The same investors have also offered scholarships to local students.

Despite the interest and action from outside investors to Zimbabwe, Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, suggests Zimbabwe needs time to get its economy back on track.

"Any investment is not an overnight thing. These investors are serious in looking for opportunities but it takes time for them to identify a sector they want to participate and it takes time to produce feasibility study on the best of which they can then pour their money into that project."

Chinamasa says the ball is now in Zimbabwe's court.

He says he's confident the new government has the capacity to revive the economy.