By Cde. Oliver Mandipaka 

The toxicity, turbulence and neo-colonialism machinations by the Western imperialists, demands that China-Africa relations need to be strengthened and consolidated to facilitate modernisation and industrialisation amongst Liberation Movements and indeed the whole of Africa.

 Colonisation was a bitter pill to swallow by the majority of African countries including Zimbabwe and it became imperative for Liberation movements to resist Western domination, plunder of resources and instigation of conflicts by fighting for total independence. 

The current pre-occupation is to ensure modernisation and development so as to improve the livelihoods of the majority, those marginalised and impoverished by those in the Western hegemony.

Liberation Movements like ZANU P.F. in Zimbabwe, ANC of South Africa, Frelimo-Mozambique, Chama Chama Pinduzi of Tanzania, SWAPO-Namibia and MPLA of Angola have increasingly become aware that the Communist Party of China under the leadership of its vibrant and progressive leader, the General Secretary Xi Jinping is an all-weather friend whose intentions for Africa, are quite smart and based on mutual respect and win win situation.

 It is common knowledge that Africa is endowed with natural resources, and abundant raw materials but its development and modernisation is not so pleasing.

 Thanks to the Communist Party of China for partnering Liberation Movements and strengthening our resolve to develop our own countries. The partnership and friendship should be applauded for the benefit of people of Africa and China.

My view on Chinese modernisation is that it is very good and progressive. It takes everyone on board and it is intended to improve the lives of people in China. Liberation movements must therefore emulate the Chinese philosophy on modernisation. 

In Zimbabwe today we have a belief that the people themselves wherever they are throughout the country must participate in the development and modernisation of the country. 

The President and First Secretary for ZANU PF, His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa who was trained in China during the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe is on record to say the Party’s development agenda leaves no one and no place behind.

 He goes further to say the country is built and developed by its own people. Such pronouncements inspire confidence and hope.

The Chinese modernisation model or philosophy is that growth and development is not dictated by outside Western External forces but it starts within your given country as determined by your conditions.

 Western capitalist and imperialist modernisation is exploitative and intended to plunder resources of developing countries especially in Africa.

 China is very clear in its modernisation approach as it does not seek to plunder, exploit or cause conflict but to promote productive forces as well as mutual beneficial win-win situations. 

The West continues with its machinations and regime change agenda in Africa more so in those that were its colonies.

 Terms like democracy, human rights and the rule of law and sanctions are being used to perpetuate their hegemony, supremacy and bully tactics in an effort to cause conflicts in countries that are sovereign.

 China does not do that. China believes in socialism with Chinese characteristics and their modernisation agenda does not leave anyone behind.

 The Communist Party of China is the one that leads the modernisation path and socialist modernisation is encouraged.

 I think this is a good approach. Science and technology is being promoted and Chinese modernisation is greatly influenced by their conditions rather than being dictated to by external Western influence.

 The aim of the Chinese modernisation concept seeks to create a prosperous nation. As such the economy of China is thriving.

As African countries and as Liberation Movements we share the same agenda to see the economy thriving. 

Development in Agriculture, Mining, Tourism and all sectors of the economy is the thrust of Zimbabwe which is similar to China. 

Zimbabwe has carefully accepted China as our all-weather friend dating back from the period of the liberation struggle and in our modernisation thrust, we are partnering with the Chinese in Mining, Agriculture , Health, Tourism and various sectors of the economy so that as directed by our President and First Secretary of the Party Cde. Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa we become an upper middle income economy by 2030.

Chinese rejuvenation is synonymous with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Chinese path to modernisation and Africa build mighty socialist nations.

 Harmony with nature is very vital and healthy for nations and indeed ancient China respected nature and the environment.

 China believes in peaceful development of developing nations whilst the Western world’s path to modernisation does not look at each country’s social system/conditions.

Liberations Movements are encouraged to cement relations with China in their developmental trajectory.

 President Xi Jinping and the CPC are our model in terms of modernisation. To make sure our people and our nations are developed to our satisfaction, it is imperative to learn and emulate the Chinese path to modernisation.

*Cde Oliver Mandipaka writes in his personal capacity*