Chinese investors have created over 100,000 jobs in Zimbabwe: Spokesperson

Chinese investors have created over 100,000 jobs in Zimbabwe, a spokesperson for the Asian nation has said following what he termed groundless accusations in a press release by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on October 25.

“The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe has noted the press release by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on October 25. However, it looks rather like a lame judgment in which there are only groundless accusations without any supporting facts and detailed information. The Embassy rejects such a frivolous, irresponsible, and unpersuasive statement.

“It is an undeniable fact that Chinese investors have created over 100,000 jobs in Zimbabwe. Recently Chinese enterprises successfully held two job fairs for local job seekers, and both the number of applicants and the signing rate far exceeded expectations. These are the most convincing vote of confidence that the Zimbabwean people have cast on Chinese investments. The vast majority of Chinese companies in Zimbabwe have been operating their business in line with Zimbabwe’s laws and policies while earnestly implementing their social responsibilities and are thus welcomed by the overwhelming majority of Zimbabwean people,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

The Chinese Embassy has been supporting the Zimbabwean Government to promote the supervision of all foreign investments in accordance with the law and the principle of equality, openness, and transparency. It is the Embassy’s consistent position that disputes involving enterprises should be addressed through legal channels rather than self-righteous moral trials by a few organizations.

The Chinese Embassy said as a labour organization, the ZCTU should have been committed to protecting workers’ legitimate interests and rights.

For more than two decades, the illegal and unilateral sanctions have been hindering Zimbabwe’s international trade and financial cooperation. Zimbabwe’s daily international transactions have been subject to over-review, long delays, inexplicable rejection, and even withholding.

Zimbabwe’s enterprises and financial agencies have been plunged into unimaginable predicaments or even mass bankruptcy. The illegal and unilateral sanctions have led to a large number of unemployed in Zimbabwe, depriving Zimbabwean workers of their right to work and survival.

“Unfortunately, the ZCTU selectively turns a blind eye to such a challenge which it should be most concerned about. It should explain who pressuring it to do so. The press release by the ZCTU is actually attempting to drag Chinese companies into its difference on some of Zimbabwe’s internal issues.

“In the meantime, it is full of discriminatory and offensive incitements against a specific ethnic group. Non-interference in other countries internal affairs and rejecting racial discrimination are the consistent principles of the Chinese government. Threats, intimidation, and bullying against Chinese enterprises will only damage the image and credibility of the ZCTU.”

The spokesperson said Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe will, as always, continue advancing mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, create more job opportunities for Zimbabwean workers, and support Zimbabwe’s economic and social development.