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deals worth over US$700 million, as visiting Chinese Vice Prime Minister Wang Qishang called on the West to remove the illegal economic sanctions they imposed on Zimbabwe.
Vice President Joice Mujuru, Vice PM Wang and several ministers and senior officials from Zimbabwe and China attended the signing ceremony at Munhumutapa Government offices in Harare.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti signed three loan agreements with Mr Li Riougu, the president of the Export-Import Bank of China.
The deals include US$342 million for the supply of agricultural equipment and comprehensive agriculture development, US$99,5 million for the supply of medical equipment, and a US$144 million deal for the development and rehabilitation of Harare’s water and sewage works.
Minister Biti signed three other agreements with China’s Commerce Vice Minister Fu Zi-ying.
There is a US$7,5 million grant and an equivalent amount as an interest-free loan.
The third is a US$102,2 million concessionary loan to the Government of Zimbabwe.
The money will be used for projects agreed on by the two nations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi signed an agreement for the construction of a school with Vice Minister Fu.
Vice Minister Fu also signed other agreements with Acting Water Resources Minister Giles Mutsekwa for the drilling of boreholes, and with Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro for human resources development.
In a media briefing just before the signing ceremony, Vice PM Wang said Zimbabwe and China shared similar historical experiences and he respected the role played by the country’s liberation fighters.
“That is why me and my delegation have res-pect for those who were part of your national independence struggle. China and Zimbabwe have a profound friendship and we supported the just causes of your people during the liberation struggle of independence since the 1960s,” he said.
Vice PM Wang said the inclusive Government had made economic strides and differences be-tween the three political parties should be sol-ved internally.
“This is an internal issue for Zimbabweans and should be determined by Zimbabweans without external interference and we hope your parties will solve amicably their differences.
“China supports the just causes of the Zimbabwe Government and its people to assert their sovereignty and we continue to call on countries concerned to lift the sanctions at the earliest date,” he said.
The strong show of friendship comes a few weeks after China’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yang Jiechi came to Zimbabwe and called the country a “key partner in Southern Africa”.
In 2008 China, Russia and other progressive nations vetoed attempts by the US and Britain to legitimise their illegal sanctions through the United Nations Security Council.
Vice PM Wang yesterday said Beijing appreciated Zimbabwe’s reasons for indigenising its economy.
“China understands Zimbabwe’s decision to implement the indigenisation programme and we hope Zimbabwe will protect the legitimate
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Zim, China sign US$700m deals

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right of Chinese business in the country.”
He said he hoped for further co-operation in areas like mining, tourism and manufacturing.
Vice PM Wang commended VP Mujuru for her contribution to the liberation struggle, especially her heroics in downing a Rhodesian air force plane.
VP Mujuru thanked China for its continued support for Zimbabwe, particularly in the face of the illegal sanctions.
“Zimbabwe will continue to express gratitude to you the Chinese people and its leadership for the support you have continued to give us at international forums.
“We want to express our support for the One China Policy. Zimbabwe is grateful about the way China has remained steadfast behind us, especially during the time you used a veto at the UN when they (US and Britain) wanted to come up with a resolution on sanctions on us,” she said.
VP Mujuru also commended China for rescheduling Zimbabwe’s debts and promised to service these as soon as the economy allowed.
“This will help Zimbabwe and China through our strategic co-operation which we have set for ourselves especially in sectors which have been hard hit by the illegal sanctions.
“We know of the assistance the Chinese have given us especially in infrastructure development and areas where we want to upgrade our systems.
“We are also beginning to see the coming in of China Development Bank in the areas of mining, energy, transport, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism,” VP Mujuru said.
Among many other things, China has provided support in various fields including construction of two schools, a hospital and an agriculture demonstration centre.
Vice PM Wang’s delegation included deputy foreign affairs minister Zhai Jun and Mr Bi Jingquan, the deputy secretary-general of the State Council.
After the signing, the Vice PM met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai before proceeding to State House for talks with Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe.
Yesterday evening the delegation went to Chitungwiza Central Hospital where Chinese doctors have been performing free eye surgery.
A banquet was held in Vice PM Wang’s honour in Harare last night and he is today expected to tour Harare in addition to having other business meetings.