CHINA has provided Zimbabwe with US$300 million in aid over the past three years while an agreement has been also been signed between the two countries to provide the state-run mobile phone service provide, NetOne with a US$50 million loan.

This was revealed by the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Xin Shunkang at a briefing to launch celebrations to mark the 30 years since the establishment of China- Zimbabwe diplomatic relations.

“The total amount of aid that the Chinese government provided to the Zimbabwean government in the past three years is approximately US$300 million.

“For instance, our two countries just signed two agreements on the provision of a 315 million RMB Yuan (US$ 46 million) concessional loan and the 50 million RMB Yuan (US$7,35 million) grant respectively to support Netone expand its network coverage and implement the projects to be agreed upon through consultations between the two governments,” Shunkang said.

As a sign of the good relations, Shunkang added, China has selected 300 officials annually to receive training in China and constructed a China-Zimbabwe friendship Hospital in Mahusekwa at a cost of US$410 million.

Two rural schools located in Harare and Bindura have also been built while an agricultural demonstration centre covering 108 hectares at Gwebi College for agriculture has also been established.

“Our friendship has remained as vigorous as ever,” Shunkung said

The ambassador said his country has also dispatched 10 senior agricultural experts to Zimbabwe to cooperate with local agricultural officials and farmers to improve agriculture production.

China also provided US$500 000 to help fight cholera in 2008 and another US$5 million to help Zimbabwe to revive its economy in 2009.”

“We also propose to build two solar power projects for Zimbabwe, support Chinese financial institutes in setting up special fund for small and medium- scale Zimbabwean businesses and send one agricultural team to Zimbabwe,” Shunkang said

“Most importantly, the fifth joint commission between China and Zimbabwe is set to be held in May, 2010 to further stimulate bilateral investment,” he added. (Source:NewZimbabwe.com)

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