By Margaret Kamba 

Cde Jiang Xinzhi, the Vice Chairman of the 24th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Deputy Head of the Organisation Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee has called for the comprehensive removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

He said this when he paid a courtesy call on ZANU PF National Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at the Party headquarters this Tuesday.

Speaking during the meeting the National Chairman spoke about the strong relations between the two Parties.

"I feel greatly honoured indeed humbled to welcome you and your esteemed delegation to our beautiful country Zimbabwe which is your second home, feel at home away from home. Your visit comes at a timeous moment as you join us in our double celebration of our resounding electoral victory which we registered during the harmonised elections last year and also commemorating the 44th Independence Anniversary coming in a few days to come. More importantly, the interactions we are having offer the opportunity to exchange notes on pertinent issues that develop our fraternal two parties," the National Chairman said. 

"Your Excellency, we are pleased that our relationship has been elevated from sister to sister relation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Co-operation and this we thank our leaders His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa and President Xi Jinping.We have witnessed the relation between our two countries growing from strength to strength as reflected in the significant improvements in trade and economic co-operation. 

"Our excellent relations can be traced back to the time of the liberation struggle, when the People’s Republic of China offered military and diplomatic support to the liberation movements. You paid the supreme sacrifice to liberate our country and the rest of the Southern African Region. We are forever grateful that you fought side by side with us, we shared trenches, dressed us and fed us. Your unflinching support in defending our independence and national sovereignty during very turbulent time is appreciated.

"Your Excellency, the illegal sanctions remain alive and impacting negatively on the livelihood of our people. However, we are grateful for the support rendered by China which has seen Zimbabwe’s economy growing from strength to strength by more than 5%; which is second highest in the region. This support has been expressed through China’s commitment in supporting the implementation of on-going and new projects in Zimbabwe.

"We further appreciate China’s leadership in the establishment of the BRICS countries’ model, centred around a unique new relationship guided by non-alignment principle. In this context, the BRICS stands for strengthening new centres of economic growth and global decision-making on important political issues in Eurasia, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America guided primarily by their interests. This will be game-changer and will eliminates the dominant use of the US dollar as a universal trading currency which is crippling third world economies to their knees."

On his part, Cde Jiang Xinzhi said he was happy with the warm welcome given by ZANU PF.

"We would like to thank ZANU PF for the warm reception. As President Mnangagwa said China and Zimbabwe are good friends and brothers. We will continue to stand with Zimbabwe and call for the comprehensive removal of sanctions. We will support the people of Zimbabwe in exploring the development and defending their sovereignty."

The Vice Chairman added that there is need to strengthen cooperation between the two Parties.

The Vice Chairman's delegation included His Excellency, Zhou Ding, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Li Mingxiang, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China as well as Mr Zhang Yangsheng Director General of the Institute of Party Building Research.

ZANU PF Politburo members included Cde Dr Mike Bimha, National Political Commissar, Cde July Moyo, Secretary for Transport and Welfare, Cde Elifasi Mashava, Secretary for Business Development, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira, Secretary for Local Government, Cde Charles Tavengwa, Secretary for Education, Ideology and Research, Cde Tendi Mkusha, Secretary for Gender and Culture and Cde Fortune Chasi, Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs.