News / National
Tsvangirai to leave for China on a familiarisation tour
22 May 2012 at 04:53hrs | Views
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is scheduled to leave for China this week on a familiarisation tour as the Look East Policy gathers momentum.
Mr Tsvangirai leaves for China on Saturday on the backdrop of a crackdown on Chinese businesses by his party led by Labour Minister Paurina Mupariwa.
Minister Mupariwa last week branded Chinese business operations in Zimbabwe "the darkest side of capitalism".
Minister Mupariwa, who is drawn from MDC-T, said her party would urge Zimbabweans to boycott Chinese products in protest.
"Over the last few years, there has been an influx of Chinese businesses of all forms in Zimbabwe. Instead of aiding development and growth of the economy, the Chinese have brought nothing new except exploiting the locals and overshadowing them," Minister Mupariwa was quoted as saying.
She claimed abuse of Zimbabwean workers by their Chinese employers saying an investigation was already underway.
"The Government should bring the matter to the attention of the Chinese government so that it encourages its nationals to abide by the laws of this country. Should they continue, the MDC-T calls upon every law-abiding citizen to boycott Chinese products until they learn to treat workers with respect and dignity," Minister Mupariwa said.
Sources told The Herald that PM Tsvangirai was visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese government.
"The Prime Minister is travelling to China on May 26. His visit follows the hosting of his secretary Mr Ian Makone by the Chinese for almost three months," a source said.
Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba confirmed the PM was on his way to China.
"The outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe (Mr Xin Shunkang) intimated to the President that the Prime Minister is going to China on a familiarisation tour," he said.
Mr Charamba said the PM's maiden visit to China was beneficial to the country.
"It is helpful in consolidating the Look East Policy. We will be singing from the same hymn book. The President's Look East Policy has vision and that is why everyone is fitting into it," he said.
PM Tsvangirai's party has been critical of the Look East Policy spearheaded by President Mugabe in the wake of Zimbabwe's fallout with the West over the land reform programme that distributed land to previously disadvantaged indigenous Zimbabweans.
MDC has been critical of Chinese businesses in the country.
On Friday, Mines and Mining Development deputy Minister Gift Chimanikire claimed operations by Anjin Investments' at Chiadzwa diamond fields have not benefited the country in anyway.
Anjin Investment is a Chinese company mining diamonds at Chiadzwa.
Mr Tsvangirai leaves for China on Saturday on the backdrop of a crackdown on Chinese businesses by his party led by Labour Minister Paurina Mupariwa.
Minister Mupariwa last week branded Chinese business operations in Zimbabwe "the darkest side of capitalism".
Minister Mupariwa, who is drawn from MDC-T, said her party would urge Zimbabweans to boycott Chinese products in protest.
"Over the last few years, there has been an influx of Chinese businesses of all forms in Zimbabwe. Instead of aiding development and growth of the economy, the Chinese have brought nothing new except exploiting the locals and overshadowing them," Minister Mupariwa was quoted as saying.
She claimed abuse of Zimbabwean workers by their Chinese employers saying an investigation was already underway.
"The Government should bring the matter to the attention of the Chinese government so that it encourages its nationals to abide by the laws of this country. Should they continue, the MDC-T calls upon every law-abiding citizen to boycott Chinese products until they learn to treat workers with respect and dignity," Minister Mupariwa said.
Sources told The Herald that PM Tsvangirai was visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese government.
"The Prime Minister is travelling to China on May 26. His visit follows the hosting of his secretary Mr Ian Makone by the Chinese for almost three months," a source said.
Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba confirmed the PM was on his way to China.
"The outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe (Mr Xin Shunkang) intimated to the President that the Prime Minister is going to China on a familiarisation tour," he said.
Mr Charamba said the PM's maiden visit to China was beneficial to the country.
"It is helpful in consolidating the Look East Policy. We will be singing from the same hymn book. The President's Look East Policy has vision and that is why everyone is fitting into it," he said.
PM Tsvangirai's party has been critical of the Look East Policy spearheaded by President Mugabe in the wake of Zimbabwe's fallout with the West over the land reform programme that distributed land to previously disadvantaged indigenous Zimbabweans.
MDC has been critical of Chinese businesses in the country.
On Friday, Mines and Mining Development deputy Minister Gift Chimanikire claimed operations by Anjin Investments' at Chiadzwa diamond fields have not benefited the country in anyway.
Anjin Investment is a Chinese company mining diamonds at Chiadzwa.
Source - TH
