THE government has acknowledged that hard work, careful planning and focused leadership can transform and lift the destiny of a nation from poverty to prosperity.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Seminar for Media Professionals for Zimbabwe in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry chief director Jonathan Gandari said the seminar exposed the Zimbabwean media professionals to the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC)’s remarkable governance philosophy and development model.
“Through lectures on modernisation, media responsibility and technological innovation, we witnessed how hard work, careful planning and focused leadership can transform and lift the destiny of a nation from poverty to prosperity,” he said.
“China’s victory against extreme poverty stands as one of the greatest achievements of our modern era.
“This achievement by the CPC party leadership sends a powerful message to us: that poverty can be defeated.”
He said Zimbabwe drew great encouragement from China’s modernisation journey.
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“One of the highlights of our visit was undoubtedly our time in Chongqing — China’s famous ‘8D City’.
“What moved us was learning about Chongqing’s transformation. A city that was once considered remote and underdeveloped has now become a global hub for technology, logistics, manufacturing and international trade.
“Through focused leadership and strategic investment, Chongqing has become a critical gateway within the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting China to Asia, Europe and beyond through trade corridors and modern infrastructure.
“The visit to the modern village gave us a new world view of the fruits of targeted rural development.”
Gandari said the visit by the Zimbabwean media professionals and communicators had renewed “hopes for a shared peaceful future marked with mutual respect”, adding: “We appreciate this initiative and hope to structure further engagements in all areas of collaboration.
“We have observed that for China modernisation has not meant abandoning your traditions and history, but incorporating them in every step of the way.
“The experience at the 798-751 Art District, where traditional Chinese culture met contemporary digital creativity and virtual reality innovation, showed us how a nation can modernise while remaining deeply rooted in its civilisation.
“We saw a country proud of its past, yet confidently embracing the future.”
Gandari said for Zimbabweans, China’s story is profoundly inspiring.
“We leave here with a clear understanding of the function of communication in co-ordinating development.
“We now know that through our craft as media professionals we can spotlight economic linkages at both national and global levels.
“We can also share stories of success, our culture and our civilisations.
He said co-operation between media and communication help forge long lasting future relationships in the areas of capacity building, content sharing and technological co-operation between the two countries’ media institutions.
“Such co-operation can help uplift media standards in Zimbabwe, improve content production, strengthen content sharing between the two nations so that our people to people relationship is supported by tourism and trade exchange.”
The Information ministry chief director said key lessons learnt were to communicate to the nation with self-confidence and sovereignty through developing own platforms to spearhead national cohesion, and that communication should be linked to strategic national development blueprints.
“In addition, communication is important for national and global visibility.
“Media convergence, including artificial intelligence, can be used strategically to tell a nation’s civilisation.
“But beyond technology, this seminar reminded us of something even more important: the power of friendship.
“As we as ancient Chinese wisdom teaches us ‘good brothers fight togethers. China and Zimbabwe are truly all-weather friends.
“Our relationship has stood the test of time, built on solidarity, mutual respect and shared understanding through south to south global links.”
Wu Wei, the director for AIBO Executive Department III, said a stay in China presents one with a real picture of the Asian gian nation in an objective way, where they gain better understanding of China’s economic, social and culture development, as well as its commitment to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
“President Xi Jinping once said that the pioneers of the ancient silk routes won their place in history not as conquerors with warships, guns, horses or swords,” he said.
“Rather, they are remembered as friendly envoys leading camel caravans and sailing ships loaded with goods.
“China stands ready to work with all forces for progress across the globe, bearing in mind the future of humanity and the well-being of the people, to jointly open up an even brighter future.”
Wu said the seminar has built a precious bridge of communication and friendship between Chinese and Zimbabwean media circles.
“Through open exchanges and in-depth sharing, we have enhanced mutual understanding, narrowed cognitive differences, and laid a solid foundation for long-term media cooperation and academic exchanges between the two countries.
“A two-week seminar seems too short, too short to fully grasp the whole picture of China’s path to modernisation; a two-week seminar is also long, long enough to take a glimpse of a brighter future of the Belt and Road Co-operation.
“Today’s closing ceremony doesn’t mark an end, but a new starting point for us to further deepen co-operation and create a better future together.
“I also hope that all of you will bring back our friendship and introduce the real China you have seen to your colleagues, friends and family members, and apply what you have learned to your work, as well as further promote more mutually beneficial co-operation with China.”
He urged the Zimbabwean media professionals and communicators to set the ship of history on the right course, to tackle crises and challenges for the development and prosperity of all countries, to deepen understanding and friendship, “so as to lay a solid foundation for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and make our world a better place for all”.