China-Africa community among the Global South on the cards- Ambassador

BY BRENNA MATENDERE

Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding has said following last year’s Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Asian country and the continent have now elevated relations to a new height of building a thriving China-Africa community among the Global South.

He reiterated that China and Africa share friendship forged over decades, rooted in mutual respect, solidarity in anti-colonial struggles, and shared aspirations for development.

Ambassador Ding made the remarks in his address at the International Youth Summit on Land and Economic Freedom, hosted in Harare by the Africa Youth Congress on 25 May.

“Last year’s Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation elevated our relations to a new height – we are now jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, working together toward common development, and demonstrating the unshakable unity among the Global South,” he said.

The “Global South” is a term used to broadly describe countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, often characterized by their socio-economic development and political influence. It’s not a precise geographical or political designation, but rather a way to group countries based on shared characteristic

Ambassador Ding said China-Africa partnership is founded on mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision of inclusive development.

“This enduring friendship has grown stronger, deeper, and more fruitful over time. So far, China has helped Africa build or upgrade nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, over 10,000 kilometers of railways, around 1,000 bridges and 100 ports – critical lifelines that connect communities and drive economic integration,” he said.

China has sent medical teams to almost all African countries, providing around 230 million treatments in the past several decades.

Turning to Zimbabwe which this year marked 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, Ambassador Ding said the bilateral trade volume between Beijing and Harare reached a historic peak of 3.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 — a 23.9% year-on-year increase.

“From the airports in Harare and Victoria Falls that connect Zimbabwe to the global markets, to the boreholes that bring clean water to rural villages; from the Hwange and Kariba South Power Stations that energize the national grid to the Dinson Steel Plant and Titan Energy Complex that boost industrial capacity of Zimbabwe; from medical teams that heal communities to agricultural experts that empower farmers, the China-Zimbabwe partnership proves that true development is not transactional, but transformational,” he said.   

China has an embassy in Harare while on the other hand Zimbabwe has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Hong Kong.

China was one of the first countries to open a diplomatic mission in the newly independent state in 1980, and the relations between China and Zimbabwe continue to firm.

Ambassador Ding said over the years, China has developed a highly productive and efficient modern agricultural system through technological innovation and institutional reforms in Zimbabwe and around Africa.  

“Today, China feeds 20% of the global population with just 7% of the world’s arable land, making a significant contribution to global food security. Technology now accounts for over 60% of China’s agricultural development. 

“Committed to sharing its agricultural technologies, expertise and experiences with African countries, China has long advocated dismantling technological monopolies to enhance food security across Africa,” he said.

Quoting late Chinese leader Chairman Mao Zedong who once said, “Young people are like the sun at eight or nine o’clock in the morning. Our hope is placed on you,” the top diplomat said these words retain their profound relevance today.

 He said the energy, ideas, and courage of youths in Africa will drive the social and economic development of great nations and the entire African continent in the years ahead.

Ambassador Ding challenged the youths to fight a new battle—against food insecurity and underdevelopment.

“… as your forebears triumphed, I am confident that you will succeed and prevail,” he said.