By a Correspondent
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding has dismissed allegations that Chinese companies are plundering Zimbabwe’s natural resources, describing the claims as misinformation that is aimed at upsetting investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
China is one of Zimbabwe’s largest foreign investors, with Chinese firms investing billions of dollars in mining, energy and infrastructure projects, including lithium, chrome and other strategic minerals.
However, some Chinese companies operating in Zimbabwe have faced repeated accusations of exploiting the country’s mineral wealth. Civil society organisations, local communities and traditional leaders have alleged that certain mining operations have polluted rivers, degraded land, operated in environmentally sensitive areas and failed to deliver meaningful benefits to host communities.
Addressing the Zimbabwe-China Investment Symposium in Harare, Zhou rejected the allegations and called for joint efforts to counter what he described as false narratives targeting Chinese investors.
“Sustainable business growth cannot take root in a hostile environment. We should work side by side to counter misinformation, disinformation and fabricated narratives, such as baseless accusations of resource plunder and hate speech directed at Chinese investors. Individual isolated incidents are often exaggerated to misrepresent the full picture of our bilateral cooperation, deterring genuine responsible enterprises from entering this valuable market,” he said.
Zhou said the Chinese government maintains a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and requires Chinese companies operating abroad to comply with Zimbabwean laws, minimise environmental impacts and maintain constructive engagement with local communities.
On mineral beneficiation, the ambassador reaffirmed China’s support for Zimbabwe’s value-addition agenda but cautioned against implementing it too quickly.
He said beneficiation should follow a realistic, phased approach that considers infrastructure constraints, technical capacity, market conditions and global competition.
“At the same time, we have realized that mineral beneficiation cannot be rushed and should follow a realistic, step-by-step approach that fully accounts for infrastructure limits, technical gaps, market fluctuations and global competition. A clear phased roadmap is essential to leverage Zimbabwe’s unique comparative advantages,” Zhou said.
He added that Zimbabwe has become an increasingly important player in the global new energy supply chain and is well positioned to move further up the mineral value chain.
“Zimbabwe has become an important part of the global new energy supply chain. With Chinese investment, technology and market access, and with a sound strategy that balances short-term gains and long-term benefits, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to play a more important role in the global mineral value chain,” he said.
Zimbabwe has been promoting value addition and mineral beneficiation as part of its strategy to maximise returns from its vast mineral resources, create jobs and drive industrialisation. China remains a key investment partner, particularly in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors.
