Monday, May 31, 2010

ZANU-PF, Communist Party of China Renew Memorandum of Understanding

Zanu-PF, CPC renew pact

Herald Reporters

Zanu-PF and the visiting Communist Party of China delegation yesterday renewed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the two parties co-operating in various areas.

The MoU was signed after a CPC delegation led by Cde Wang Gang’s met with Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

The MoU, Cde Wang said, would provide the basis for the exchange of notes on co-operation between the two countries over the next five years.

Cde Khaya Moyo said China was Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend. He blasted the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe saying the embargo was impacting negatively on ordinary people.

Said Cde Khaya Moyo: "They are affecting everyone and we are happy that China has pledged to work with us to ensure that they are removed forthwith."

Speaking after meeting Vice President Joice Mujuru at her Munhumutapa offices yesterday, Cde Wang, said: "Negotiations on cotton exportation to China are underway and cotton produced in Zimbabwe is of high quality.

"The prices of cotton should be reasonable and we should consider each other’s benefit," he said.

Cde Wang said China viewed Zimbabwe as a reliable friend and slammed Western interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Cde Wang said: "World affairs should be decided by the world and domestic affairs should be deliberated at local level. We oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs."

He said the good relations between Zanu-PF and the CPC provided a solid foundation for bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and China.

Speaking at the same occasion, VP Mujuru lauded the Chinese in expressing interest in projects that enhanced the land reform programme.

"As the Government of Zimbabwe, we were looking at how tobacco was being bought by the West and we realised that since the coming in of Chinese companies the prices of tobacco have increased.

"You should also consider cotton production and we are more interested in these crops because they are the crops that the new farmers are growing," she said.

VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe recently received a number of delegations from China that were keen on investing in fields such as mining and farming.

Government, she said, was working on how these projects could be implemented.

VP Mujuru hailed Zimbabwe-China relations saying the Asian country had stood by Zimbabwe during its time of need, such as at the United Nations Security Council.

Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at his Munhumutapa offices.

PM Tsvangirai said: "The inclusive Government has faced so many challenges and so many successes. It is important to note that the inclusive Government is not falling and it is irreplaceable to maintain peace and security in the country."

PM Tsvangirai thanked China for supporting Zimbabwe and the inclusive Government.

"We have put aside personal partisan political interests for the sake of our national interest. The objectives of entering into an arrangement with Zanu-PF were to stabilise the economy and prepare for a free and fair election," he said.

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