The enduring friendship between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China was once again brought into sharp focus this week at a ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in Harare, marking a significant follow-up to earlier engagements in which President Xi Jinping urged Zimbabwean war veterans to rally the youth for the next phase of China–Africa relations.
In his reply letter to veterans who received military and political training in China during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, President Xi Jinping paid tribute to their sacrifices and reaffirmed that the bond between the two nations was “forged during the struggle for national liberation and has withstood the test of time.” He emphasised that the future of this historic friendship now rests in the hands of younger generations, guided by the principle that “humankind is a community with a shared future.”
President Xi further noted that the coming period presents new opportunities for deeper people-to-people cooperation, calling on veterans to act as bridges between history and the future. He encouraged the passing on of liberation values of unity, self-reliance, and solidarity to the youth, particularly as China and Africa advanced cooperation in development, modernisation, and innovation.
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Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, described President Xi’s response as a powerful expression of respect for Zimbabwe’s liberation fighters. He recalled that the veterans “transformed the knowledge and skills gained in China into strength for Zimbabwe’s liberation, forging an unbreakable bond between our two nations and peoples.” Ambassador Zhou said this historic solidarity has since evolved into an All-Weather Community with a Shared Future, delivering tangible cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
Zimbabwean leaders also highlighted the deeper significance of the moment. Honourable Webster Shamu, Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Zimbabwe–China Parliamentary Friendship Association, said the occasion was “far more than a ceremonial exchange of correspondence, but a living testimony to a shared revolutionary history and enduring friendship.” He stressed that relations between Zimbabwe and China remain fraternal rather than transactional, rooted in shared sacrifice and mutual respect.
The youth dimension of President Xi’s message was vividly illustrated by Herbert Mushangwe, a representative of the young generation, who credited his academic and professional achievements to the strong foundation laid by liberation heroes “All this was not going to be possible without the sacrifice and dedication of our veterans who established a strong relationship with China,” he said, urging young people to carry the torch forward with unity and determination.
Together, the ceremony and President Xi’s message underscored a clear call to action: honor the past, strengthen the present, and empower the youth to shape the next chapter of China–Zimbabwe and China–Africa relations.
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