China’s path to modernisation aligned with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers WriterAS Zimbabwe forges ahead with its Vision 2030 and Heritage-Based Education 5.0 agenda, China, its strategic partner, remains firmly committed to supporting the nation’s transformation journey.Drawing on its own experience of modernisation, Beijing stands ready to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s developmental aspirations through strengthened co-operation, infrastructure investment and knowledge exchange.Presenting a paper titled: “Fostering Innovation and Talent Competitiveness: Lessons from China’s Education and Industrial Transformation at the Scholastica Conference in Bulawayo on Thursday, China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, said Presidents Mnangagwa and Xi Jinping have inspired robust development in both countries anchored on strategic bilateral partnership of co-operation.Ambassador Zhou DingHe said China was actively contributing to Zimbabwe’s education and industrial transformation through three synergistic pathways.“First, our bilateral co-operation energises Zimbabwe’s development through strategic infrastructure projects.The Hwange and Kariba South Power Stations have reinforced the nation’s energy security, while the modernised Victoria Falls and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airports have boosted its global connectivity,” said Amb Zhou.He also made reference to the NetOne Broadband Project, which has accelerated digital transformation while the High Performance Computing Center has unlocked its technological potential.Amb Zhou said the landmark projects have laid a critical foundation for Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation. “Our partnership strengthens Zimbabwe’s industrial base and workforce through transformative private-sector engagement.Flagship projects — such as the $1,5 billion Dinson Steel Plant, $1 billion Titan New Energy Complex, and multi-billion-dollar Palm River Energy and Metallurgical Economic Zone go beyond conventional outputs, they generate thousands of skilled jobs and facilitate critical technology transfer, laying foundations for Zimbabwe’s sustainable growth,” he said.Amb Zhou said Chinese technology giant Huawei also acts as a digital enabler with its “Seeds for the Future” programme nurturing the next-generation innovators, its ICT academies building institutional technical capacity and its ICT competition sparking excellence in digital skills.“Furthermore, initiatives like Harare Polytechnic’s partnership with multiple Chinese enterprises and vocational colleges cultivate industry-ready talent through hands-on training.“Ultimately, our shared progress is measured not just in tonnes of steel or megawatts of energy, but in empowered communities, shared knowledge and transformed lives.“Our collaboration nurtures Zimbabwe’s talent ecosystem. Guided by the profound Shona proverb — ‘Dzidzo inhaka yevana/Imfundo yilifa labantwana) —China and Zimbabwe have forged a holistic educational partnership, constructing primary and secondary schools, establishing university facilities, awarding Government scholarships, and fostering university-to-university partnerships,” said Amb Zhou.He said beyond academia, in the past two decades, China’s capacity-building initiatives have equipped over 6 000 Zimbabwean officials and professionals with advanced management and technical skills.Yet these were just glimpses of the deepening collaboration between the two countries with new ventures continually taking shape.Amb Zhou told delegates that just last Saturday, the Chinese government put forward a proposal to establish a global Al co-operation organisation and released an action plan for global Al governance.He said going forward, China also stands ready to share its experience in Al development and technological products to support Zimbabwe in enhancing its capacity building.President Mnangagwa“Last year, President Mnangagwa’s historic state visit to China wrote a new golden chapter in our shared story.We solidified our strategic partnership through 17 landmark agreements, establishing a ‘five-star ironclad’ co-operation framework,” he said.“This is far more than a strategic blueprint, it serves as both an accelerator and driving force for our collaborative efforts in education and industrial transformation.“As Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend, standing shoulder-to-shoulder through storms and sunshine, China remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and Heritage-Based Education 5.0, advancing inclusive, equitable, and quality education,” said Amb Zhou.He said the co-operation was the essence of heritage-based progress where the two countries draw wisdom from their shared history, building a future where education and industry flourish in harmony.“Together, let’s turn education into industry’s spark, turn partnership into prosperity, and turn innovation into progress.“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Zimbabwe’s educators, innovators, and producers, whose dedication, ingenuity and tireless efforts nurture both Zimbabwe’s promising future and the profound friendship between China and Zimbabwe,” said Amb Zhou.Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Frederick ShavaZITF is hosting the Scholastica event, running under the theme: “Empowering Future Generations Through Heritage-Based Education and Innovation”, as the first stand-alone edition in over a decade.The Expo kicked off on Wednesday and has attracted over 5 000 participants from across Zimbabwe with close to 50 exhibitors showcasing their products and services.Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava, who was represented by his Skills Audit and Development Ministry counterpart, Professor Paul Mavima, officially opened the Expo yesterday.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald

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