CHINA has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and development in Zimbabwe, pledging continued cooperation in skills development, health support and people-to-people exchanges.
Speaking during celebrations marking the Chinese Lantern Festival and the upcoming International Women’s Day in Harare, Ambassador Zhou Ding said women’s empowerment remained central to China’s cooperation agenda with Zimbabwe.
“Dear friends, underpinning all of this is China’s unwavering commitment — a commitment to women’s development that lies at the heart of our vision of a Healthy China and a healthy world.
“In China, women account for more than 40 percent of the workforce, over half of internet start-up founders, and more than 60 percent of Olympic medallists in the past four Summer Olympic Games. Chinese women actively participate in state and social governance.
“China stands ready to share its experience and support our all-weather friend Zimbabwe in advancing women’s development and empowerment, ensuring that no one and no place in Zimbabwe is left behind,” Zhou said.
“Through gatherings like today’s, women from our two nations learn from each other and carry forward the torch of friendship,” he said.
Zhou said initiatives implemented under China-Zimbabwe cooperation were already transforming lives, particularly through health and education programmes.
“Under the Bright Journey programme, more than 1 400 cataract patients, many of them women, have regained their sight,” he said.
The ambassador added that cooperation between the two countries had also strengthened human capital development, noting that thousands of Zimbabweans had benefited from training opportunities.
“Over the past decade, approximately 6 000 Zimbabwean officials and professionals have received training and scholarships in China, including many outstanding women from all walks of life in Zimbabwe.
“Our training programmes, university partnerships and youth exchanges are turning assistance into lasting capacity and self-reliance, nurturing generations of skilled, connected and deeply committed individuals,” he added.
Zhou added that China and the African Union had designated 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, aimed at strengthening social and cultural ties between the two regions.
Zhou said cooperation and unity were essential for sustainable development.
“A single tree cannot form a forest. Though rooted in different cultures, our shared wisdom shows that development and unity are strongest when pursued together,” he said.
Tapiwa Chirume
