Mada Praises China’s Development Model

Zim Now Reporter

Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology director Ismail Mada says Zimbabwe found inspiration in China’s story.

Speaking in a parallel session at the second Wuyi Forum in Fujian, China, Mada highlighted key lessons from China’s development path.

The forum attracted scholars from different countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea, who gathered to discuss the theme “Civilizational Exchange and Modernization: The Global Significance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics."

Mada made his remarks during a session on "China’s Governance and Chinese Modernization.”

He said China’s experience helped Zimbabwe implement internal reforms and craft new strategies to navigate a shifting geopolitical landscape.

He noted that Zimbabwe, while pursuing its own modernization, remains guided by Marxist-Leninist socialism adapted to local conditions—a principle inspired by China’s approach.

“We sincerely thank the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, Zimbabwe’s ‘all-weather friends,’ for standing with us," Mada said, alluding to China’s steadfast support of Zimbabwe on the international stage as well as at the bilateral level.

There is growing global interest in Chinese modernization as a model for development in the Global South as western models continue to fail Africa and other developing nations.