Sino-Zimbabwe Military Relations Hailed

Vice-President Joice Mujuru With Her Chinese Counterpart, Zeng Qinghong, a photo by Pan-African News Wire Photo File on Flickr.

Sino-Zimbabwe military relations hailed

Sunday, 29 May 2011 22:50
Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE is grateful for the support it has received from China dating back to the colonial period, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga said yesterday.

Speaking at a dinner he hosted for the visiting Chinese Member of the Senior Military Commission, Air Chief Marshal Xu Qiliang and his delegation in Harare last night, Gen Chiwenga said China had stood by Zimbabwe during trying times.

"I want to thank People's Republic of China for finding it necessary to stand by Zimbabwe in her hour of need. We needed your support yesterday, we still need it today and we shall still need your support tomorrow.

"Indeed, it is with no doubt that without the help from the (Chinese) People's Liberation Army, the challenges for the ZDF could have been harder to overcome.

"Zimbabwe shall always remember and remain indebted to China for her stand in the UN Security Council meeting of 12th July 2008 where China exercised her veto power against imposition of UN sanctions against Zimbabwe under the sinister Chapter V11, which has been used to abuse smaller and weaker nations endowed with resources," Gen Chiwenga said.

He thanked China for the military assistance to the ZDF through training and supply of military hardware.

"The ZDF has always found the PLA to be a strategic partner and will always be proud to be associated with it.

"We sincerely acknowledge the pivotal role being played by the People's Liberation Army instructors at the Zimbabwe Staff College and we hope this will be extended to other future programmes of mutual interest between the two defence forces," he said.

Air Chief Marshal Xu also hailed the relations between the two countries.

He said Zimbabwe was a renowned country with a rich history and hospitable people.

Air Chief Marshal Xu said his delegation's visit sought to enhance military relations between Harare and Beijing.

"The purpose of my visit is to enhance the traditional relationship between the two militaries with the two air forces in particular," he said.