Zanu PF delegation in China eyes deeper trade ties

STAFF WRITER

A high-level Zanu PF delegation is in China to strengthen economic cooperation, with a particular focus on lithium exports and value addition initiatives aimed at deepening mutual benefits between the two long-standing allies.

The trip comes as Zimbabwe is seeking  to tap into China’s booming electric vehicle (EV) sector, positioning itself as a key supplier of lithium- a critical component in EV battery production.

The delegation, comprising Politburo members and directors, is visiting the city of Chongqing at the invitation of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The trip marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and China and offers a platform for exchanging views on governance, development, and business collaboration.

Led by Zanu PF Secretary for Business Development Elifas Mashaba, the delegation also includes Secretary for Local Government Supa Mandiwanzira, Deputy Principal of the Chitepo School of Ideology Ernest Dube, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chairperson Cephas Ncube, and Secretary for Labour and Employment Creation in the Women’s League Maidei Mpala.

In remarks delivered on Tuesday, Mandiwanzira praised China’s transformation and development trajectory, describing the experience in Chongqing as “a learning opportunity.”

“This has been amazing and something that we can learn. This opportunity to come to Chongqing has been a learning opportunity, and we appreciate that opportunity to learn,” he said.

“To see how much you have been able to advance technologically within the city, be an industrial giant, but at the same time preserving the environment, preserving the cultural heritage sites of this great city is amazing and it is such things that we will take and learn.”

Chongqing is a strategic logistics and industrial hub, integrating water, road, and air transport. It is a manufacturing base renowned for producing electric vehicles (EVs), laptops, and other high-tech products.

Mandiwanzira highlighted the potential synergy between Zimbabwe’s vast lithium reserves and China’s booming EV industry.

“When we hear of your strategy to grow the e-vehicles sector, we see an opportunity to grow our lithium mining sector because Zimbabwe is one of the major producers of lithium in the world, and China is a great market for that lithium,” he said.

“When you are advancing in the development of these technologies, these vehicles, these laptops, we see an opportunity to even grow our exports to China. So we are excited about that.”

Mandiwanzira emphasized that Zimbabwe is eager to understand China’s development model, noting its remarkable growth from a developing nation to a global economic powerhouse.

“We want to learn more about how China has been able to rapidly grow in a very short space of time from the ordinary developing country to the super-power that it is today,” he said.

He also lauded China’s diplomatic approach, saying the country had risen “with absolute humility” and without coercing smaller nations.

“You treat other countries as if they were at your level, yet you are obviously much, much greater. This is why as Zanu PF and as Zimbabwe, we value the relationship that we have with the great people of China,” Mandiwanzira added.

He said Zimbabwe’s partnership with China dates back to the era of Chairman Mao Zedong, with successive Chinese leaders including Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and current President Xi Jinping playing key roles in cementing the alliance.

Looking ahead, Mandiwanzira expressed hope for industrial collaboration between Zimbabwean and Chinese firms, particularly in manufacturing lithium batteries locally rather than exporting the raw mineral.