Zimpapers Logo

UPDATES BY: Lloyd Gumbo, Felex Share, Tendai Mugabe, Simiso Mlevu and Costa Mano

2103: We end our updates on the first day of President Xi Jinping’s two-day State visit. We will continue once again tomorrow.

2030: The banquet has started at the State House with several Governments officials from both Zimbabwe and China gracing the occasion. The two leaders in their remarks pledged to continue good relations between the two countries.  Some of the guests at the banquet include First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, VPs Mnangagwa and Mphoko and Government ministers as well as service chiefs.

2006: The signing ceremony has ended and it has been revealed that 10 deals worth billions of dollars have been sealed. President Mugabe and President Xi witnessed the signing ceremony.

1852: The signing ceremony has started.

1822: President Xi has ended his address and the meeting has been closed to the media.

1820: He said President Mugabe is a seasoned Statesman and founding father of Zimbabwe and in China they have such people whom they respected much. President Xi said under President Mugabe Zimbabwe embarked on a development path and a shining star defying external interference and that he hoped that as AU chair President Mugabe will lead the continent to new heights.  He said Zimbabwe and China were all weather friends saying the relationship between Zimbabwe and China has stood the test of time.

President Xi said it was one of the best relationships between developing countries and last year Zimbabwe and China agreed to be good friends and brothers on an equal footing.  He said fruits of that relationship had benefitted people in both countries and that  the pair of lions given to him by President Mugabe had settled in China and were loved by the Chinese people. He said China places high premium on the China-Zimbabwe relations adding that Zimbabwe was his only destination in Africa this time for bilateral purposes.

WATCH RELATED VIDEO HERE

1816: President Xi is now addressing the gathering. He said he was here to honour the promise he made to President Mugabe during his visit to China last year. He said he promised the President that Zimbabwe will be his first destination on his next visit to Africa.  He said he was overwhelmed by his welcome by the Zimbabwean people at the airport. He thanked the Zimbabwean cabinet for arranging such a massive welcome.

1810: The ministers introduced include Patrick Chinamasa, Supa Mandiwanzira, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Saviour Kasukuwere, David Parirenyatwa, Chris Mutsvangwa, Simon Khaya Moyo, Samuel Undenge, Jorum Gumbo, Joseph Made, Sydney Sekeremayi and Monica Mutsvangwa.  He also introduced RBZ governor Dr John Mangudya and staff from the President’s Office.

1805: President Mugabe is now introducing his delegation attending the meeting starting with VPs Mnangagwa and Mphoko.

1753: He said  the main area of the struggle now was in the area of fighting poverty. He said key areas of development include roads, rail and infrastructure.  He said the footprint registered by President Xi was lasting and encouraged him to make more visits to Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe ends his address.

1753: President Mugabe said as Zimbabwe hosts President Xi  it is important to convert natural resources into wealth and be sovereign owners of their country. He described that as another struggle where financial assistance is required from Zimbabwe’s Chinese friends.

1750: He said part of the support was technical for military training with Zapu and Zipra being assisted by the Soviet Union as well. President Mugabe introduced VP Mphoko as one of the cadres from the Zipra side.

1747: He says Zimbabwe regards China as the best friend in the international community not because the Chinese are beautiful or rich but the fact that the Chinese are a people of action and an all weather friend.  He said Zimbabwe had a tough struggle against British settlers and was assisted by China. President Mugabe said  almost every year he went to china to say give us more guns.  He said they got more guns that enabled Zimbabwe to attain independence.

1741: President Mugabe now giving a brief speech.

1739: President Mugabe and President Xi get in for the signing ceremony of the multi-million dollar deals

1724: All is set for the signing ceremony as  VPs Mnangagwa and Mphoko have taken their seats for the ceremony.

1712: Senior Government officials are waiting for the signing ceremony. President Mugabe and his Chinese counterpart are now in a meeting.

1702: President Xi has arrived at State House.

1655: VPs Mnangagwa and Mphoko as well as ministers among the Saviour Kasukuwere, Joseph Made and Christopher Mutsvangwa are also at State House.

1651: President Mugabe has arrived at State House ahead of the signing of several deals that together with his Chinese counterpart.

1606: Amai Mugabe, speaking in Mandarin,  is now showing the Chinese First Lady around the rooms where children sleep.

1555: Chinese First Lady says she is happy to be in Zimbabwe and more so in Mazowe. She says she is delighted to hear children singing in Chinese language and states her delight to hear children singing in Mandarin. She has donated material worth 1 million Yuan to the Home and hopes it will go a long way in helping them live even better.

1552: I am happy that you have come to see what our fellow sisters and brothers have helped us set up. I want to express my gratitude to the people of China. She says she started building this place in 2007 and the rooms are very spacious.

Children started staying here in 2011 and when they started, they were just 15 but now they are 90. She says two weeks ago they were 91 but unfortunately one developed pneumonia and passed on. The oldest child is 6 years and there is a house which has been converted to a nursery.  The whole idea is to catch them young. As soon as they start walking, they are taken to the nursery.

1547: The two Ladies have finished their briefing and Amai Mugabe is now making her welcome remarks. She thanks Chinese First Lady for visiting Zimbabwe and says she hopes this visit will go a long way in strengthening ties. Amai Mugabe says she was able to set Mazowe Children’s Home through the assistance of brothers and sisters from China.

1544: Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan has arrived at the orphanage and she is chatting with children who have just welcomed her through a Chinese song.

1536: First Lady Amai Mugabe has arrived at her Mazowe Children’s Home.

1146: President Xi has arrived at Rainbow Towers where he will be staying. We take a break from our updates for now and we shall continue when the Chinese leader visits the Heroes Acre later today.

1056: President Xi’s arrival has been received with pomp and fanfare as flag-waving school children, members of the apostolic sects and traditional dancers on the domestic terminal pelt out several songs.

Scores of Zimbabwean and Chinese nationals are lining up the Joshua Mqhabuko Nkomo Road to welcome the Chinese President.

 

1040: The Chinese leader is today expected to visit the Heroes Acre before proceeding to the State House where he’ll have a meeting with President Mugabe after which they’ll be a signing ceremony and a press conference. President Mugabe will then host a State banquet for his visiting compatriot.

First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe is expected to take the Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan on a tour of Mazowe Children’s Home this afternoon.

1023: President Xi has disembarked from his plane and is now greeting President Mugabe and VPs Mnangagwa and Mphoko.

1013: Some of the people at the airport to welcome the Chinese leader are service chiefs, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda and ministers Simon Khaya-Moyo, Patrick Chinamasa and Obert Mpofu.

1008: President Xi’s  aircraft has landed at the Harare International Airport.

1004: President Mugabe, Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko and several ministers are at the Harare International Airport to receive President Xi.

 

1003: Scores of people have lined up Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Road to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping who is scheduled to land at the Harare International Airport any moment from now.

The historic two-day State visit is expected to lift bilateral relations to a new high by closer collaboration on Zimbabwe’s key needs, including filling the infrastructure gap and reviving industry.