CREATIVE presentations of modern and traditional Chinese and Zimbabwean music theatrical performances reverberated at the University of Zimbabwe’s Beit Hall on Saturday, a notification to the world that the Chinese New Year in Zimbabwe is jubilation of many realised social, economic and political achievements.
The event lived up to its billing with support from the mining, banking, farming, construction, aviation and the hospitality industries, among many business enterprises managed by the Chinese in Zimbabwe.
A carefully selected line up of close to 15 artistes which began with the Dancing Lions Celebrate the new year performance by the Dream Show Art Troupe prompted the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding to preempt that the year 2024 was a year of numerous achievements.
Zhou said the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is a time for family reunion, for sharing love and blessings. Both China and Zimbabwe attach great importance to preserving traditions and cultural heritage, which is believed to play a key role in our quest for prosperity.
“2024 was a year of bumper harvest for our bilateral relations. I'm happy to have witnessed the completion and commissioning of some monumental projects, which have been made possible by either Chinese government’s financial support or private sector investments,” Zhou said.
“These latest and ongoing projects have injected new momentum into Zimbabwe’s socio-economic progress. China has always been a reliable friend of Zimbabwe and vice versa. The fraternal relations between our two countries have stood the test of time and grown from strength to strength. Today, as we kick off a festive season to celebrate the Chinese New Year, we also celebrate the strong partnership and unwavering solidarity between China and Zimbabwe.”
The diplomat added that the year 2025 was the year of the Snake on the Chinese Lunar calendar.
“2025 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Zimbabwe. It is the year of the Snake on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. In the Chinese zodiac tradition, the snake brings wisdom, transformation, calmness and creativity. On this auspicious occasion, I extend my best wishes to all Zimbabwean friends. I wish you a happy and healthy Year of the Snake, opening an exciting new chapter of your life with your wisdom and endeavours,” Zhou said.
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China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre chief executive officer Steve Zivanayi Zhao and Zijing Liu directed the events with great fluency and announced the raffle winners including the enigmatic performances from the Dream Show Art Troupe, Xiong Nengzi, Liu Zheng and SunTing from Tongfu Hotel, Zhao Fang, Probeats and Tafara, Jin Xing, Traditional Marimba and Zhou Mei, among others.
The Dream Show Art Troupe had renown award-winning celebrities like Nyasha David, Fusion 5 Mangwiro and Mwenje Matole.
Zhao said the New Year Celebrations were a welcome development as they were synonymous with the hard work and achievements by many Chinese companies in Zimbabwe in the year 2025.
Zijing said it was an overwhelming and mind-blowing experience to direct the proceedings of the Chinese New Year Celebrations and envisions an influx of Chinese investors in Zimbabwe in the year 2025.
“We are looking forward to realising co-operation and business ties in the year 2025 including an inexorable enjoyment of peace and tranquility in Zimbabwe,” Zhao said.
Monalisa Sigauke from Stanbic Bank said the financial institution was in full support of the China Africa Corridor. She said the bank had a Chinese desk which was meant to provide ease of doing business, among other financial advantages.
Jack Li, who runs Four Seasons Irrigation Company, said his company had made resounding success in the year 2024 and was looking forward to further expand to reach out to several farmers across the country in Zimbabwe.
Representatives from PG and Sunny Yi Feng Companies said hard-earned money needed to be properly invested and one such way was to prioritise advancing in resilient housing and infrastructure.
