Xi hailed for shaping equal ties with Africa

Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira praised President Xi Jinping's leadership in establishing a clear direction for China-Africa cooperation, adding that it is a "philosophy of cooperation" that is shaping a new global reality of shared modernization.

During a recent interview with China Daily, Murwira said China and Africa are forging a new path toward modernization — one grounded in mutual respect, sovereignty and practical cooperation.

The evolving partnership offers an alternative to colonial legacies and coercive geopolitics, reshaping global norms through inclusive and development-focused collaboration, he added.

"The relationship between China and Africa is not a colonial one. It is a partnership rooted in sovereign equality, unlike the relationships that exist between Africa and its ex-colonizers."

Murwira believes that under the leadership of President Xi and his African counterparts, this partnership is transforming Africa's global role — from a supplier of raw materials and labor to an equal player in global innovation and development.

The philosophy of cooperation "brings a new reality of modernization in the world, and also changes the narrative of how to relate with Africa", he added.

Zimbabwe, after 45 years of diplomatic relations with China, exemplifies the depth and benefits of this partnership, the minister said.

During Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa's state visit to China in September, the two countries agreed to establish a "five-star ironclad" cooperation framework underpinned by politics, economy and trade, security, culture and international cooperation. They also agreed to work together to build a high-level China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future.

China is already one of Zimbabwe's largest export markets for tobacco and is rapidly becoming a key destination for agricultural commodities such as avocados, Murwira said.

He also welcomed China's recent announcement that it would extend zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, calling it a "significant step forward", especially at a time when "certain countries of the world are putting up barriers to trade".

In recent years, Zimbabwe and China have deepened cooperation across a wide range of sectors including energy, digital infrastructure, mining, education and agriculture, according to the minister.

He added that with support from China, Zimbabwe has modernized its hydro and thermal power stations, expanded solar energy capacity, deployed 5G networks with Huawei and built a national high-performance computing center.

These represent tangible cooperation, he said, adding, "They show that our relationship is not rhetorical, it is practical."

He also highlighted shared values between China and Zimbabwe in the international arena, citing the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation by 33 countries, aimed at promoting peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue, in May.

"China sponsors peace, development and modernization — it doesn't sponsor war," he said, adding that Zimbabwe also shares that philosophy.

In his view, the growing cooperation between China and Africa represents a new geopolitical reality as both sides have large populations, are emerging economic powers and have moral integrity. "History is on our side," he said.

Murwira called the rise of the Global South "a world trying to do good", one that promotes multilateralism and rejects hegemonic approaches.

"We are producing an alternate model on world governance that is not based on 'might makes right'," said Murwira. "It's based on influence. It's based on understanding. It's based on dialogue."

zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn