Two events on April 14 served to underline the continuing close bonds between China and the countries of southern Africa, forged during the liberation struggle against imperialism, colonialism and white racist minority rule.
Reporting from the capital Maputo, the Xinhua News Agency wrote that the 25th contingent of the Chinese medical team in Mozambique organised a large-scale free clinic at Matola Provincial Hospital, as part of a series of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mozambique.
The event offered consultations in gynecology, obstetrics, cardiology, urology, pain management, general surgery, orthopedics, spinal surgery, and acupuncture. Medical stations were also set up for blood pressure, glucose, and oxygen saturation checks, as well as for the distribution of basic medicines.
Luisa Panguene, national director of medical assistance at the Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude to the Chinese medical team for promoting health, well-being, and hope for Mozambican citizens.
“On behalf of the Mozambican people, I would like to thank the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese medical mission for their continued support and for the solidarity they have shown throughout these 50 years of brotherhood.”
Ma Litai, leader of the Chinese medical team, said: “We have come here with Chinese expertise, equipment, and medicine to serve the people of Mozambique. Chinese medical teams have been working in Mozambique for nearly 50 years, and we will continue to serve the health needs of the Mozambican people.”
Friendship between China and Mozambique dates to the beginning of the armed liberation struggle against Portuguese colonialism, launched by the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) on 25 September 1964, which China, along with the other socialist countries, consistently supported morally and materially. This struggle culminated in the founding of the People’s Republic of Mozambique (now the Republic of Mozambique) on 25 June 1975, with the outstanding Marxist Samora Machel becoming the country’s first President. With a revolutionary friendship already forged in battle, China and Mozambique established diplomatic relations the same day.
Also on April 14, China and Zimbabwe signed two agreements for airport infrastructure maintenance and skills development training in the transport sector in the capital Harare.
At the signing ceremony, Zimbabwean Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joshua Sacco said: “The signing of the two agreements is a continuation of the long-standing relationship between our two nations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle and it now shows that we are moving on to a stage where we share economic development.”
Ma Xin, Vice Governor of China’s Jiangsu Province, who was leading a provincial delegation, said that with Zimbabwe transitioning towards an industrialised economy, there is heavy demand for infrastructure building and construction, and engineering and construction companies from Jiangsu are more than willing to participate in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure construction development.
Zimbabwe celebrated the 45th anniversary of the country’s independence from British colonial rule on April 18. As with Mozambique, the solidarity forged in the liberation struggle ensured that China and Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations the same day. Current Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was one of many freedom fighters who received military and political training in China during his country’s war of independence, known as Chimurenga.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
Chinese medical team provides free healthcare in Mozambique to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
MAPUTO, April 15 (Xinhua) — The 25th batch of the Chinese medical team in Mozambique organized a large-scale free clinic at Matola Provincial Hospital on Monday, as part of a series of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mozambique.
The event offered consultations in gynecology, obstetrics, cardiology, urology, pain management, general surgery, orthopedics, spinal surgery, and acupuncture. Medical stations were also set up for blood pressure, glucose, and oxygen saturation checks, as well as for the distribution of basic medicines.
“Today is my first time receiving acupuncture treatment from a Chinese doctor, and I can clearly feel the pain in my neck has eased,” said Melia da Assuncao, a patient from Matola. “I’ve already added the doctor’s contact and hope to arrange my next session soon.”
Luisa Panguene, national director of medical assistance at the Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude to the Chinese medical team for promoting health, well-being, and hope for Mozambican citizens.
“On behalf of the Mozambican people, I would like to thank the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese medical mission for their continued support and for the solidarity they have shown throughout these 50 years of brotherhood,” said Panguene.
Ma Litai, leader of the Chinese medical team, said the free clinic is not only a medical outreach effort but also a vivid symbol of the deep friendship between the two countries.
“We have come here with Chinese expertise, equipment, and medicine to serve the people of Mozambique,” said Ma. “Chinese medical teams have been working in Mozambique for nearly 50 years, and we will continue to serve the health needs of the Mozambican people.”
China, Zimbabwe strengthen cooperation on transport infrastructure
HARARE, April 15 (Xinhua) — China and Zimbabwe have signed two agreements for airport infrastructure maintenance and skills development training in the transport sector in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.
The two agreements included the maintenance of the Victoria Falls International Airport, which was upgraded by China Jiangsu International (CJI) in 2016, and the technical cooperation between the Airports Company of Zimbabwe and CJI.
At the signing ceremony on Monday, Zimbabwean Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joshua Sacco said the technical cooperation agreement will enable Zimbabwe to tap into China’s technical expertise and knowledge in the transport sector.
“So as we expand our airports in the country. It means we also have the need for skilled manpower and this comes in handy as we cooperate with the Chinese company,” he said.
He hailed CJI for its commitment to partnering with Zimbabwe to develop and modernize its transport infrastructure, noting that the support from the Chinese company will boost Zimbabwe’s industrialization efforts.
“The signing of the two agreements is a continuation of the long-standing relationship between our two nations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle and it now shows that we are moving on to a stage where we share economic development between the two countries,” Sacco said.
Ma Xin, vice governor of China’s Jiangsu Province who led a provincial delegation to Zimbabwe, said the CJI ‘s construction of landmark airport projects with high quality has exerted a positive socio-economic impact on Zimbabwe.
With Zimbabwe transitioning towards an industrialized economy, there is heavy demand for infrastructure building and construction, and engineering and construction companies from Jiangsu are more than willing to participate in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure construction development, he added.
