CHINESE Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding, has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s rural development and agricultural modernisation, saying the partnership between the two nations continues to deliver tangible results.
Speaking at the Second Harare Forum for Africa held at the Celebration Centre in Harare this Tuesday, Ambassador Zhou said the forum’s theme, “Rural Development and Modernisation,” was of great significance to both China and Zimbabwe.
He noted that Zimbabwe’s efforts to uplift rural communities under Vision 2030 and the Rural Development 8.0 Initiative reflected the aspirations of its people to build thriving communities where “no one and no place is left behind.”
“Zimbabwe’s endeavours resonate with an ancient Chinese adage: ‘Only when agriculture flourishes can a nation thrive.’ This timeless wisdom has guided Chinese civilisation for thousands of years,” he said.
Ambassador Zhou outlined China’s rural revitalisation strategy, highlighting the role of technology and innovation in boosting productivity and transforming rural life. He cited examples such as drone-assisted spraying, artificial intelligence-powered weather forecasting, rural e-commerce, and integrated models linking agriculture with tourism and culture.
With limited arable land but a vast population, China has, according to Zhou, developed systems that have allowed the country to sustain 20% of the world’s population with only 9% of its arable land.
On bilateral cooperation, he pointed to a range of initiatives in Zimbabwe, including borehole drilling, irrigation upgrades, food aid, training programmes for farmers, and the transfer of Juncao technology. These, he said, were designed to strengthen food security and rural infrastructure.
“Nearly half of Zimbabwe’s tobacco exports go to China, while citrus is already popular among Chinese consumers. Avocados and blueberries from Zimbabwe will soon debut in the Chinese market. Both governments are now working on implementing China’s new zero-tariff policy for Zimbabwean exports, which will further contribute to rural development,” he added.
Ambassador Zhou also reflected on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state visit to China last year, saying it had injected fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation. He emphasised China’s commitment to implementing the 10 Partnership Action Plans for Modernisation adopted at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.
As Zimbabwe and China mark 45 years of diplomatic relations, the ambassador called on academic institutions, businesses, and the media to deepen collaboration.
“May the Forum serve as a catalyst, igniting innovative solutions, forging transformative partnerships, and illuminating the way toward a prosperous future for China, Zimbabwe, and Africa,” he said.
