China celebrates Africa Day with high level engage...

China celebrates Africa Day with high level engagement

**Zimbabwe’s envoy to Beijing, HE Ambassador Abigail Shoniwa**

Monica Cheru-Managing Editor

To mark Africa Day 2025, China is once again reaffirming its deep, strategic ties with the continent as the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts African ambassadors in Beijing tomorrow (May 26).

Zimbabwe’s envoy to Beijing, Ambassador Abigail Shoniwa, will join her peers at the event where the highest national representatives for Africa will reflect on decades of solidarity and cooperation as well as the evolving nature of the relationship with China.

The meeting comes at a time when China and Africa are working on strengthening synergies towards equity for the global south.

Ambassador Martin Mpana of Cameroon, dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Beijing, told local media that China and Africa need to stand by each other to ensure a multilateral world. He also said that China is well positioned to work with Africa towards modernization and technological development.

Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, Rahmat Allah Mohamed, said that this engagement will provide a platform for African envoys to discuss concerns and agree on issues.

Areas of discussion for Africa are likely to include sustainable development, responsible resource management, and debt management, as well as cultural heritage and environmental protection.

Somalia’s envoy to Beijing, Hodan Osman Abdi, said China’s modernization is an area of key interest to Africa as a continent with the biggest number of developing countries because it directly tackles key human rights such as access to clean water, energy, education, and healthcare.

The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe reiterated its position with a solidarity message on X: “On the occasion of Africa Day 2025, we are honored to join you in celebrating Africa’s liberation and unity, its dynamism and resilience. Despite the changes in the international landscape, the Chinese and African people will continue to stand together to build a higher-level China-Africa community with a shared future,” reads the post.

During a Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit, Chinese president Xi Jinping said, “China will always be a good friend, good partner, and good brother of Africa. We support African countries in exploring development paths suited to their national conditions and support African efforts to achieve development and revitalization.”

Over the past two decades, FOCAC has evolved into a cornerstone of China-Africa engagement positively impacting on development through

• Over 6,000 kilometers of railways and roads,

• 80+ large-scale power plants,

• 130+ medical facilities, and

• 170+ schools across the continent.

These projects and others have improved infrastructure and boosted trade, health, and education — key pillars for sustainable development and uplifting the lifestyle standards of millions across the African continent.

The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, further deepened this collaboration. Nearly 50 African countries, Zimbabwe included, have signed cooperation agreements with China under the BRI, focusing on transport corridors, industrial parks, and digital connectivity.

In Zimbabwe, partnership with China in development has resulted in major projects like the Victoria Falls and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport upgrades, installation of Hwange units 7 & 8, as well as the Kariba Hydropower Station upgrade.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, speaking at the commissioning of the magnificent Parliament building in Mount Hampden, captured the essence of the bilateral bond, saying, “The comprehensive strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and China has yielded tangible benefits for our people, particularly in infrastructure development and economic growth.”

The May 26 diplomats’ engagement comes on the back of other activities with African partners hosted by China this month. From May 15, nearly 100 military officers from 40 African nations took part in a China-hosted tour, visiting cities such as Beijing, Changsha, and Shaoshan to explore security cooperation and training.

African diplomats from 50 countries,and the representative of the African Union in China accompanied by Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue toured Huna from May 13 to 15/MFA

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a visit to Hunan for members of the African diplomatic corps in China from May 13-15. The African diplomats praised the province’s role as a “bridgehead” in China-Africa cooperation after touring innovation hubs, rice research centers, and major commercial zones — showcasing China’s practical contributions to African industrialization and food security.

The province will once again host the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, with the 2025 edition running in Changsha from June 12–15, 2025.

Zimbabweans representing various enterprises and organizations will be among the 12000 people taking part in the 20+ economic and trade forums focusing on green minerals, agriculture, and digital trade, dialogue between African and Chinese entrepreneurs, and an innovation forum for youth.

Founded in 2019, the expo has created a platform for over USD 53.32 billion in deals with more expected this year and has played a key role in promoting Hunan’s rising trade with China.

The partnership between China and Africa in modern times goes back to the last century, when China actively championed Africa’s independence from colonialism.

President Xi Jinping, speaking at the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg, underscored the emotional and historical foundation of this relationship:

“China and Africa are as close as one family. People of my age in China grew up in the warm atmosphere of China-Africa friendship. We all have a strong interest in Africa.”

China maintains a policy of non-interference and respect for sovereignty, positioning itself as a development partner rather than a neo-colonial actor — a message that resonates with many African nations working on shaking off the yokes of former colonizers.