HARARE, Aug. 17, 2026 — China and Zimbabwe have commissioned a joint laboratory at the University of Zimbabwe to advance research in agriculture ecology, cash crops and climate-resilient farming as the two countries deepen science and technology cooperation.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said the China-Zimbabwe Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Agriculture Ecology and Cash Crops would provide a platform for joint research, academic exchange and talent development.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Harare on Monday, Zhou said the facility marked a new phase in bilateral cooperation in science, technology and education.
“This landmark event represents solid progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Zimbabwe, and marks a new leap forward in China-Zimbabwe science, technology and education collaboration,” Zhou said.
The ambassador said the cooperation was anchored in Zimbabwe’s development priorities and had already supported initiatives ranging from eco-friendly farming techniques and Juncao technology to climate-resilient crop varieties, sustainable soil management, water resources planning, borehole drilling and irrigation upgrading.
He said these initiatives, alongside food security assistance, had contributed to strengthening food security and improving livelihoods in communities across Zimbabwe.
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Zhou also highlighted the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing, established with grant funding from the Chinese government, saying it had strengthened the country’s capacity for agro-ecological data analysis, smart agriculture research and modern farming.
The new laboratory is part of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to Zhou, China had partnered with 50 countries to establish 70 joint laboratories by the end of 2025, creating an international network for science and technology cooperation.
He said the Zimbabwe-based facility would help translate advanced technologies into practical solutions for agricultural modernisation.
The laboratory is expected to focus on improving Zimbabwe’s agro-ecological systems, upgrading farming techniques and strengthening links between scientific innovation and value-added processing.
Zhou said the partnership could also help Zimbabwe take advantage of China’s zero-tariff policy by accelerating the commercial and industrial application of research outputs.
“This strategic cooperation will enable Zimbabwe to fully leverage China’s Zero-tariff Policy, thereby enhancing our bilateral economic and trade cooperation to mutual benefit,” he said.
The ambassador said the initiative was aligned with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, particularly in ecological restoration, cash-crop upgrading, food security and rural revitalisation.
The commissioning was attended by Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Frederick Shava, University of Zimbabwe Vice-Chancellor Paul Mapfumo, senior government officials and Chinese academicians and researchers.
Zhou said the laboratory’s success would depend on continued governmental support, institutional cooperation and collaboration between experts from both countries.
He expressed confidence that the facility would inject fresh momentum into China-Zimbabwe cooperation and contribute to building what he described as an “all-weather China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future.”