Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming (L) shakes hands with Zimbabwean Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare Minister Sekesai Nzenza during the rice handover ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, May 24, 2019.(Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)
HARARE, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe and China have signed a memorandum of understanding for accelerated implementation of bilateral cooperation projects between the two countries.
Visiting Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming signed on behalf of China while Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo signed on behalf of Zimbabwe.
In particular, the two countries want to promote the joint implementation of economic and trade measures they agreed to under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.
Some of the cooperation agreements covered under the MOU include the upgrading of China-Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital built by the China in Mahusekwa, Marondera District in 2012 and the handover certificate of 800,000 U.S. dollars cash donation to assist victims of Cyclone Idai.
A statement released by the Chinese embassy in Harare after the meeting between Qian and Moyo said the two sides agreed to boost cooperation in various areas.
"The two sides held friendly and candid talks and reached consensus on jointly implementing the eight major initiatives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, strengthening infrastructure cooperation, expanding bilateral trade, promoting and protecting bilateral investment and deepening development assistance," the statement read.
Moyo said through its cooperation with China, Zimbabwe wants to implement projects that have immediate tangible benefits to the people and do not constrain the country's debt situation.
Zimbabwean First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa (L, front), also the country's ambassador for Health and Child Care, watches the use of a laparoscopic simulator donated by China's Hunan Provincial Maternal Hospital in Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe, May 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)
He said Zimbabwe wants to expand its financial cooperation with China so that it stabilizes its financial sector currently reeling from foreign currency and cash shortages.
Zimbabwe is keen to strengthen trade and industrial cooperation with China so that it improves its manufacturing capacity and export of value added goods, he said.
Moyo said Zimbabwe also wants to have stronger aviation ties with China through establishment of a direct air link between the two countries.
He said with Zimbabwe facing power shortages, the two sides also discussed the possibility of China expediting upgrading of Hwange Power Station.