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VP Mphoko

Herald Reporters
Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday applauded the Chinese government for its continued support of Zimbabwe in the wake of illegal sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.

He said Western capitals led by Britain imposed illegal sanctions in a futile attempt to instigate an uprising in the country. He said this during a meeting he held with the visiting Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan, who paid a courtesy call at his Munhumutapa offices in the capital.

“They wanted us to sink so that we lose completely. But China came to our rescue. We now have a state-of-the-art military institution,” said Acting President Mphoko.

He slammed the United States for undermining Zimbabwe’s economic recovery efforts by freezing trade proceeds destined for Harare through the Office of the Foreign Office Assets Control.

Acting President Mphoko said it was only the wise leadership of President Mugabe who introduced the Look East Policy that deepened the Zimbabwe-China relationship dating back to the liberation struggle.

“The economy is good today because of the Look East Policy. We appreciate very much what you have done to us as Zimbabweans. We have students studying in China,” said Acting President Mphoko.

Several high-ranking officials from China have visited Zimbabwe in recent years and that demonstrated the good bilateral relations that existed between Harare and Beijing, he said.

Acting President Mphoko said while the two countries’ relationship was strong, a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Harare would further strengthen it.

“If he comes here, that will further strengthen our relationship,” he said.

Zimbabwe, he said, required assistance in technological advancement to enable it to fully realise its mineral endowment.

He said while the country had minerals like diamonds, gold, uranium and coal among others, Zimbabwe required assistance on human skills that would help to do value addition.

Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi said China had donated 30 million RMB (about US$5 million) to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces that he said the force was to still to determine the areas the money could be used on.

Gen Chang later toured the Zimbabwe National Heroes Acre where the country’s national heroes are interred. Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Khaya Moyo, Minister Sekeramayi and senior Government officials were also present.