Michael Mashiri
Seeing Chinese presence on the ground gives fresh perspective as versus reading stories, a senior journalist has said.
"Our tour at the Tian Ze Tobacco Company was an eye opener. Previously you have heard of negative reports about the Chinese companies working in Zimbabwe, but today we have seen for ourselves," said Zimbabwe National Editors Forum national coordinator Njabulo Ncube.
He said the media now appreciates the crucial role that the Chinese are playing in the development of Zimbabwean economy.
Tian Ze Tobacco Company took journalists and editors on a tour to Hupenyu Hutsva Children's Home in Highfields, an orphanage run by the Zimbabwean Government under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare that cater for abandoned, neglected or orphaned children.
The company has dedicated resources in form of stationery, school uniforms and groceries donations, including Christmas hampers annually.
Tian Ze also took the media team to a school they built called Dunnolly Primary School located in Beatrice.
The school that was built around 2010, has 21 teachers and has enrolled more than 700 students so far.
School head Mrs Laurencia Mucheuki said Tian Ze Tobacco Company had developed the area through the support they continuously give to the school.
"They have provided us with furniture for every classroom, with all the sporting equipment that is required at the school as well supplying our learners with all the necessary stationery and uniforms.
"Recently they provided and installed new electricity poles a well as sewer pipes.
"The school is rich in textbooks as a result of Tian Ze's cost contribution to learning at the school and our results and enrollment have improved so much because (people) are attracted by the appearance of this school," she said.
In his address at the media open day, a Chinese Embassy official urged journalists to fact check reports in order to stop perpetuating fake news about China in Zimbabwe.
"Most of the negative reports about China are fake, 99.9% of the information is fake. They will just be smearing words," said director of political affairs at the Chinese Embassy Liang Zhijun.
Liang Zhijun said the media has a role to play in ensuring that the special relationship between China and Zimbabwe that spans a long time is properly understood.
He urged journalists to be comprehensive and report objectively and not to report without checking their facts.
"China in the past years has made investments in various sectors of Zimbabwe. There are many companies that are making a positive impact in the lives of many people in Zimbabwe," he said.
He urged journalists to use their eyes to see and ears to hear what the Chinese companies are doing and the lives they were changing in the country.
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