Jasper Hloka

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Guo Shaochun, has put to rest claims by opposition and regime change elements that China was being skeptical on partnering and bailing out Government in its fight to resuscitate the economy.

Speaking at the on spot inspection of progress on the construction of the new Parliament Building in Mount Hampden today, by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Shaochun indicated that the six floor office Parliament construction was going on smoothly and would be finished in 32 months.

Shaochun remarked that “there are more projects coming up such as the new Harare Satellite city in a few years to come. Definitely there are more jobs to be done. We are very confident of the future of Zimbabwe.”

President Mnangagwa reiterated Shaochun’s remarks saying he wished the Chinese would stay longer in Zimbabwe because Zimbabwe is lagging behind in infrastructure development.

“There are many other projects which are still being discussed and funds are being sought to finance them,” said the President.

He took the gathered delegates down the memory lane saying China and Russia vetoed the United Nations Security Council in 2008 to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. President Mnangagwa added that this was evidence that the Chinese are Zimbabwe’s all-weather friends as they stood by us when the West “dis-engaged”.

In his closing remarks, President Mnangagwa concluded that he was very happy that the project was on course and going on very well without any incidents and mishaps being reported to him.