2018年CRI Observers: Mnangagwa's China visit to boost Zimbabwe's development

Observers in Zimbabwe have been weighing in on Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa's now-concluded trip to China.

They suggest the visit is likely to increase Zimbabwe's development, as well as create a new era for China-Zimbabwe ties.

CRI's correspondent Gao Junya brings more from Harare.

Richard Ngwenya, vice 1 President of China-Africa Economic Cooperation, a think tank based in Harare, says Emmerson Mnangagwa's visit to China comes at the right time, noting Zimbabwe's new President is focused on reviving the country's stagnant 2 economy.

He says China stands poised 3 to play a constructive 4 role in pushing forward Zimbabwe's development.

"China is a fast growing country, the leadership there is strong, the pro-development for Africa region and Zimbabwe in particular. The Chinese has stood with us through fractions and problems we went through, so they are the only friend who can get this country to a level that we could be a developed state."

Ngwenya suggests China's development stands as a model for Zimbabwe's development goals and Zimbabwe is ready to learn from China.

"China is the leading nation on this planet now in terms of spearheading development. It is either we copy or we invent. And China is open arms to Zimbabwe saying that if you want to learn if you want to move forward, here is the model. And this is what we are doing. The new president Mnangagwa is saying that everything in Zimbabwe must develop and Zimbabwe is geared for that. The people of Zimabbwe are also on the ground. We are very enthusiastic to see this relationship."

As part of Mnangagwa's visit, the two sides have officially upgraded their bilateral 5 relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership 6.

Lovemore Chikova, assistant editor of the Herald 7, Zimbabwe's largest daily newspaper, says this should help bolster 8 Chinese investment into Zimbabwe.

"We are expecting from this new level of cooperation, there would be a lot of transfer of expertise 9, knowledge and technology from Chinese to Zimbabwe. We expect that authorities and officials in Zimbabwe will also realize that now the cooperation no longer at that level in the past and it is at a new level. It requires more cooperation and more insight, and requires a new vision for Zimbabwe. But generally we are expecting China would now increase more investment in Zimbabwe."

Celia Rukato is a local entrepreneur who produces the scarves that the Zimbabwean delegation 10 wore during Mnangagwa's time in China.

She says she hopes the visit will unlock potential in Zimbabwe's sluggish 11 manufacturing sector 12.

"What strikes me most is in the manufacturing space and IT as well, because I'm manufacturer, trying to see how we can leverage 13 on the new technologies, because a lot of the manufacturing space in the industry is very outdated 14 and old. So we're not doing things that are most efficient way."

Mnangagwa concluded his five-day visit to China on Friday.

He made stops in Beijing, Anhui and Zhejiang, attending numerous business conferences to try to bolster Chinese trade, investment and tourism to his country.