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Felex Share Harare Bureau—
CHINA respects the decision taken by the Zimbabwe government to cease operations of companies that were mining diamonds in Chiadzwa, and has no problem with actions being executed within the confines of the law, Chinese Ambassador in Zimbabwe Huang Ping has said. Ambassador Huang said small differences would not affect the bond existing between China and Zimbabwe.

If differences were to exist, the envoy said, they would be solved in a progressive manner that did not affect agreed projects.

This comes after the government ordered the companies mining in Chiadzwa to cease operations and vacate the area within three months. The firms, which include Mbada Diamonds, Diamond Mining Company, Jinan and Anjin, had not renewed their licences as stipulated by the Mines and Minerals Act.

This saw the government resolving to take over the diamond fields to be run under the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company, a move which the companies are resisting.

Some of the joint ventures in Chiadzwa involved the Chinese.

The government said it took the step in the interests of bringing accountability and transparency in the diamond industry.

Government critics warned that the move would put multi-billion dollar deals signed with China in jeopardy.

Huang said the mega deals remained undamaged.

“That does not affect this relationship,” he said. “We respect the move the government of Zimbabwe has taken. I think we can find a way to deal with problems because even brothers and sisters have different ideas, sometimes in one family. Our cooperation will continue and we always find a way through consultations if problems do exist.”

He said Chinese companies should respect Zimbabwean laws with the latter also respecting the interests and agreements it sealed with companies from the Asian country.

“Abide by the law and everything will be protected and we also signed an agreement with Zimbabwe around 1996 and this should be observed also,” Huang said.

“President Xi (Jinping) said he will join hands with President Mugabe to continue strengthening this relationship and there’s good cooperation between our two countries.

“He was greatly impressed by the hospitality during his state visit here.”

Huang’s remarks comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi last week also asserted that the deals were still solid.

He said it was “mischievous” for someone to conclude that the investment decision of one or two companies would affect the massive deals signed in the areas of infrastructure development, telecoms and power generation.