By a Correspondent
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding has urged the government and local authorities to channel taxes paid by foreign mining companies towards environmental protection and community development, saying the state has a responsibility to ensure public revenues are used to safeguard local ecosystems.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Chinese government-supported drought relief programme launched to assist communities affected by the El Niño-induced drought, Zhou said Chinese businesses operating in Zimbabwe contribute to the economy through various forms of taxation.
“Chinese companies pay different kinds of taxes, including community taxes. We encourage the government and local authorities to further utilise these resources to enhance environmental protection,” Zhou said.
The ambassador also stressed that Chinese companies operating in Zimbabwe must comply with the country’s laws, amid growing concerns in some communities over the environmental and social impacts of mining activities.
“We believe all Chinese companies need to abide by local laws. This is the most important thing. If they break the law, they should be held accountable,” he said.
Chinese investment is prominent in Zimbabwe, particularly in mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture. However, the rapid expansion of resource extraction has at times triggered disputes with communities over environmental degradation, land use and the impact of mining operations on livelihoods.
Zhou said businesses and government had distinct responsibilities in addressing these concerns.
He said companies should focus on production, job creation and expanding their operations while strictly complying with Zimbabwean laws and regulations.
Government, he said, should ensure that tax revenues are efficiently used to provide public services, protect the environment and improve the welfare of communities.
“We do not want Chinese companies’ activities to cause any kind of dispute with local communities,” Zhou said. “We want them to have a harmonious relationship with the people where they operate.”
His comments come amid heightened scrutiny of mining activities in Zimbabwe, where communities and environmental groups have increasingly called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and greater accountability from mining companies.
Zhou said sustainable development required cooperation between government, businesses and communities, with economic growth pursued without compromising environmental protection or the welfare of people living in mining areas.
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