China to drill more boreholes in Zimbabwe

Source: China to drill more boreholes in Zimbabwe | The Sunday Mail

China to drill more boreholes in Zimbabwe

Sunday Mail Reporter

CHINA will drill more solar-powered boreholes and establish more irrigation schemes in the country, the Asian country’s top envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Zhou Ding, has said.

Beijing also plans to deliver food aid worth over US$10 million.

Trade between Zimbabwe and China rose to over US$3 billion in the first nine months of the year, as economic ties between the two friendly countries continue to deepen.

Ambassador Zhou was speaking during an event dubbed China-Zimbabwe Human Resources Development Cooperation in 2024, which was hosted by the Chinese embassy in Harare on Friday.

The food assistance, he said, will support vulnerable families worst affected by the El Niño-induced drought.

“As a strategic partner and all-weather friend, China has always answered the calls from Zimbabwe. In response to Zimbabwe’s food shortage caused by the El Niño-induced drought, China has delivered two batches of food assistance worth about US$6 million.

Another two batches valued at more than US$10 million will be delivered soon so as to address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable communities,” said Amb Zhou.

An extensive programme to build solar-powered boreholes and boost irrigation projects in rural areas, he added, is also on the cards.

“The China-aided boreholes across the country are benefitting rural populations and communities.

“To further promote rural development and poverty reduction, China intends to build a large number of solar-powered facilities, including classrooms, and to upgrade some irrigation systems for Zimbabwe in the next couple of years.”

“The Chinese investment in Zimbabwe continues to grow; our two-way trade continues to expand. In the first nine months of 2024, the trade volume reached US$3 billion, close to the whole year’s figure of 2023, which was US$3,12 billion,” Ambassador Zhou said.

Human resource development cooperation, the top diplomat said, is a driving force for economic development and has always been an integral part of Zim-China relations.

This year alone, approximately 700 Zimbabweans from diverse sectors have participated in various training and exchange programmes in China, Ambassador Zhou revealed.

“The intensive and dynamic human resources development cooperation between us truly reflects the depth and width of our comprehensive strategic partnership, which was further strengthened during President Mnangagwa’s State visit to China,” he said.

China and Zimbabwe continue to enjoy cordial relations that date back to the liberation struggle.

“China’s political and material support have not only contributed to Zimbabwe’s independence, but also helped sustain Zimbabwe’s economic and social progress after the independence; in particular, after the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

“We have stood together through thick and thin; the friendship between the two countries has been tried, tested and endured.”

Running under the theme “My Stories with China”, the event was a platform for people who participated in various seminars in China to share their experiences and lessons.

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