2018年CRI Zimbabwean President: China and Zimbabwe boast solid cooperation

 

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on his way to Beijing for the upcoming Forum¹ on China Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing. 

Ahead of his departure, he sat down with the Chinese media in Zimbabwe to talk about his expectations.

Emmerson Mnangagwa says the Forum on China Africa Cooperation is a good opportunity for Africa to seek development.

He says over the years China has, through the platform, injected significant capital into the development of African nations.

Mnangagwa, who was sworn in just a week ago, says his administration is eager to capitalize on the development opportunities that China has to offer.

"The last FOCAC meeting, China was offering 60 billion US dollars to Africa for purposes of African countries submitting bankable projects that are visible constructive² for the development of that respective economies. Zimbabwe is not benefiting directly from that as much as we could have as a result of poor preparation on our part. Under my administration, we show maximum use of that facility so that we go and present bankable projects," he says.

Mnangagwa also notes that FOCAC serves as a platform for African Heads of State to interact with one another in a neutral setting, potentially allowing them to work on issues they might otherwise find challenges with in an inter-African setting.

Mnangagwa is arriving in China following his first state visit as Zimbabwe's president in April, during which the official bilateral³ relationship was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership⁴.

Multi-billion US dollar funding was also secured for the expansion of Hwange Thermal⁵ Power Station, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, as well as Zimbabwe's state telecom operator NetOne.

Mnangawa says all of these projects are not only bringing jobs to Zimbabwe, but also technology, which he says is critical in getting his country's economic house in order.

"We need friends like China to assist us to do projects that are viable⁶, that generate revenue, and we have capacity to pay for the same projects that have been assisted. For now with those three, we are already on the ground. It is creating employment, getting more technology coming to Zimbabwe, and it is necessary in my view that we expand that relationship," he says.

Mnanagagwa, who was sworn in again as the country's president last Sunday, says his administration is going to be focused on the economy, creating jobs and improving the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.

He says China's economic foundation is something his administration is studying closely.

"We are aware that China introduced reforms to speed up modernization⁷ of their economy 40 years ago. And we are tapping into this reform program to see what characteristics in that reform program are suitable to our own situation in Zimbabwe, for us to move forward."

During his time in China, Mnangagwa is set to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as top legislator Li Zhanshu.

It's expected the Zimbabwean and Chinese leaders are going to oversee⁸ the signing of a number of bilateral agreements.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

3 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

4 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

5 thermal   

adj.热的，由热造成的；保暖的

参考例句：

• They will build another thermal power station.他们要另外建一座热能发电站。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

6 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

7 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

8 oversee   

vt.监督，管理

参考例句：

• Soldiers oversee the food handouts.士兵们看管着救济食品。
• Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.请一位房产检视员或建筑师来监督并检查不同阶段的工作。