Harare, Zimbabwe – April 14, 2025

In yet another demonstration of Zimbabwe’s deepening engagement with global partners, His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa this afternoon welcomed a high-level Chinese delegation led by Ma Xin, the Executive Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, at State House in Harare.

The courtesy call is part of a broader diplomatic mission aimed at enhancing cooperation and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China. The meeting underscored Zimbabwe’s “Engagement and Re-engagement” policy, which continues to bear fruit through dynamic international partnerships, particularly with longstanding allies such as China.

A Timely Visit Amid Growing Sino-Zimbabwe Relations

Jiangsu Province, located on the eastern coast of China, is one of the country’s most economically vibrant and industrialized regions. With its impressive infrastructure, robust manufacturing sector, and technological advancements, Jiangsu serves as a critical hub for trade, investment, and innovation in China.

President Mnangagwa warmly welcomed the delegation, expressing appreciation for China’s continued friendship and unwavering support for Zimbabwe’s development agenda. He emphasized the importance of subnational cooperation, highlighting how provincial-level partnerships—such as those with Jiangsu—can unlock targeted opportunities in trade, agriculture, infrastructure development, and industrialization.

“We are greatly honored to host this delegation from Jiangsu Province. Zimbabwe values its strategic partnership with China, and we view this visit as a strong signal of our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation at all levels,” said President Mnangagwa.

During the engagement, both parties explored avenues for deepening cooperation in key sectors of mutual interest. These included:

• Infrastructure Development: Leveraging Chinese expertise and investment to support Zimbabwe’s ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly in transport, energy, and housing.
• Agricultural Collaboration: Promoting joint ventures in agriculture and agro-processing, with a focus on increasing food security and rural development.
• Technology and Innovation: Facilitating knowledge transfer and tech-driven initiatives in areas such as smart cities, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
• Education and Cultural Exchange: Enhancing people-to-people ties through student exchange programs, vocational training, and cultural dialogue.

Executive Vice Governor Ma Xin conveyed greetings from the government and people of Jiangsu, emphasizing China’s readiness to work with Zimbabwe in advancing shared development goals. He noted that the province sees Zimbabwe as a vital partner in Africa, and the visit marks the beginning of stronger interprovincial collaboration.

“We are here to strengthen the bridge of friendship and cooperation between Jiangsu and Zimbabwe. We believe that by working together, we can achieve win-win outcomes that benefit both our peoples,” said Ma Xin.

A Testament to Enduring Friendship

Zimbabwe and China share a long-standing friendship that dates back to the liberation struggle. Over the years, this relationship has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership, with China emerging as one of Zimbabwe’s top trading partners and a major source of investment and technical assistance.

Today’s engagement is a clear reflection of this evolving relationship—one that now increasingly involves not just national governments, but provinces, cities, and private sector actors on both sides.

President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to further strengthening the bilateral relationship, emphasizing that Zimbabwe is open for business and ready to engage with partners who respect its sovereignty and seek mutual prosperity.

Looking Ahead

The courtesy visit concluded on a high note, with both delegations expressing optimism about future collaboration and the importance of regular exchange visits to sustain momentum. A series of follow-up meetings and potential agreements are expected to emerge in the coming months, further enhancing the practical outcomes of this diplomatic engagement.

As Zimbabwe continues on its path of economic transformation and modernization, partnerships like the one with Jiangsu Province offer real and tangible opportunities for investment, innovation, and inclusive development.

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