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China has urged a more balanced and evidence-based national conversation about its role in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, stating that many allegations circulating on social media and public platforms are distorted, unverified, or deliberately misleading, according to Mining Zimbabwe.
By Ryan Chigoche
Speaking at a recent event in the capital, the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, said a wave of misinformation aimed at discrediting Chinese companies had created an inaccurate impression of China’s footprint in Zimbabwe’s mining landscape.
“Certain narratives based on unverified information consistently and desperately smear Chinese enterprises. As we look into these allegations against Chinese companies and enterprises, unfortunately, we found that over 80% of them are exaggerated or fabricated, designed to incite xenophobia at very little cost,” he said. “Such tactics harm Zimbabwe’s business climate and discourage investors.”
He said this rising tide of distorted narratives often overshadows the scale of investment, job creation, value addition, and community development that accompany China’s partnership with Zimbabwe.
According to data shared in his remarks, more than 1,400 new Chinese companies have registered in Zimbabwe in the past three years, a significant portion of them in mining. Collectively, China–Zimbabwe trade and investment now support the livelihoods of more than one million people, with mining contributing more than half of this impact.
Major investors, including Dinson Iron and Steel Company, Huayou, and Sinomine, employ thousands of Zimbabweans and have partnered with vocational institutions to expand technical training and technology transfer.
The Ambassador linked Chinese investment to Zimbabwe’s broader economic agenda, including Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy.
He welcomed government commitments to maintaining a predictable business environment and expressed confidence that the upcoming Mines and Minerals Bill would further strengthen the sector.
Major national projects undertaken with Chinese support were highlighted, including expansions at Hwange and Kariba South power stations, upgrades at Victoria Falls and R.G. Mugabe International Airport, nationwide borehole drilling, medical infrastructure improvements, and high-performance computing systems at the University of Zimbabwe.
Call for Responsible Journalism
Turning to the media, Zhou emphasised the need for professionalism and ethical reporting in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly across digital platforms. He said the Chinese Embassy stands ready to provide journalists with access to accurate, first-hand information on China–Zimbabwe cooperation.
