国内英语新闻:Zimbabwe, China strengthen economic cooperation

HARARE, July 7 (Xinhua) --The eighth session of the Zimbabwe/ China joint permanent commission ended in Harare on Wednesday with a pledge by the two countries to widen and deepen economic cooperation.

The two countries discussed ways of enhancing various cooperation projects already being implemented and new ones in the energy, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, tourism and water sectors.

An agreement was also signed for China to provide 1.5 million U. S. dollars to the China-Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital in Mahusekwa, Mashonaland East Province, for medical equipment and drugs.

The hospital is part of the several projects that include two primary schools and an agricultural demonstration center that China is constructing in Zimbabwe as part of the eight measures agreed to at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in 2006 in Beijing.

Other support from China includes a 200 million U.S. dollars buyer's credit facility extended by the China Exim Bank for procurement of agricultural inputs to boost food production in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean foreign minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi praised China for setting a shining example to other world donors by honoring pledges it made to assist Zimbabwe under the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation.

Mumbengegwi noted that under the eight measures enunciated by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the FOCAC heads of state summit in Beijing in 2006, projects earmarked for Zimbabwe are now at various stages of completion.

The Chinese government has also dispatched 10 agricultural experts and 23 volunteers to buttress the cooperation.

"By successfully implementing these measures, China has set a shining example for other donors and international cooperating partners who do not always honor their commitments," Mumbengegwi said at the opening of the eight session.

He said Zimbabwe is also willing to learn and benefit from China's experience and expertise in the economic sphere, which has transformed the country into a global economic powerhouse.

"Zimbabwe will, therefore, welcome Chinese investment and is ready to discuss during the joint commission specific projects in the energy, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, tourism and water sectors," he said.

Mumbengegwi thanked China Exim Bank for extending the 200 million U.S. dollars buyer's credit loan repayment period from five to eight years, saying this would give Zimbabwe the breathing space to turn around its economy and enhance capacity to repay loans extended by China.

"The payment of the arrears and extension of the repayment period on the 200 million U.S. dollars buyer's credit loan have paved the way for increased cooperation between Zimbabwe and China, " he said.

While hailing China as a good example of a reliable and dependent donor partner, Mumbengegwi said he hoped the Asian country will similarly implement new eight measures announced by Premier Wen Jiabao at the fourth ministerial conference of FOCAC held in Egypt last year.

He said the projects that have been identified for implementation in Zimbabwe are in critical sectors of energy, water, health, education, agriculture and social infrastructure.