Ambassador Guo gives an exclusive interview to The Herald on China-Zimbabwe relations

　  2019年6月6日，驻津巴布韦大使郭少春就中津双边关系及各领域合作接受《先驱报》记者专访。访问实录译文如下：

　　1、问：在您来到津巴布韦之前，您对这个国家的印象是怎样的，现在的印象是否有所变化？

On June 6th, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Guo Shaochun gave an exclusive interview to The Herald's Reporter Kuda Bwititi on the issue of the bilateral relations and practical cooperation between China and Zimbabwe. The full content is as follows:

Question: Before you came to Zimbabwe, what had been your perception of the country before and what is your perception now?

　　答:在我到任之前，我就深知津巴布韦是中国重要合作伙伴，中津两国友谊源远流长。

　　来到这里之后，我被这里美丽的景色、宜人的气候和津巴布韦人民的热情好客深深吸引，尤其是津人民对中国的友好感情让我十分感动。

　　津巴布韦追求独立的精神最让我由衷赞赏。作为好朋友、好兄弟、好伙伴，中国对津实现经济繁荣和社会持久和平稳定一直发挥着积极作用。我们认为，国际社会必须以平等、尊重的态度对待津巴布韦，我们也将就此持续不断地为津发出呼吁。

Answer: Before I came, I was fully aware that Zimbabwe is an important partner of China and we enjoy a time-honored friendship.

Since my arrival, I have been deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery, pleasant climate of Zimbabwe and hospitality of the local people. I am especially moved by the friendly sentiments Zimbabwean people have for China.

What I admire most is Zimbabwe's spirit of pursuing national independence. As true friend, true brother and true partner of Zimbabwe, China is positive in supporting Zimbabwe to realize its economic prosperity and durable peace and stability. Zimbabwe must be treated fairly and respectfully by all the countries of the world. We will continue to speak up for Zimbabwe.

　　2、问：中国和津巴布韦之间就一些“大型合作协议”进行了多次协商，您能否介绍一下其中一些项目的进展？

　　答：去年，姆南加古瓦总统两次访问中国，两国元首一致同意将两国关系提升为全面战略合作伙伴。为进一步增强两国务实合作，双方签署了一系列合作协议。

　　其中之一就是维多利亚瀑布城国际机场扩建项目。该项目于2015年11月建成，建成后每年客容量已提升为150万人次。新航线的开通巩固了维多利亚瀑布城作为地区航空和旅游中心的地位。

Question: There has been much talk on the so-called "mega deals" between Zimbabwe and China. Can you give us a breakdown of implementation of the deals?

Answer: Last year, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa visited China twice and both our top leaders agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Zimbabwe. A series of agreements have been signed to advance our practical cooperation.

One of them is the Victoria Falls International Airport Expansion Project. This project was completed by November 2015 and has since increased the airport's passenger handling capacity to around 1.5 million a year. New air routes have been opened and connected to the Victoria Falls which has solidified its status as a regional aviation and tourism hub.

　　卡里巴南岸水电站扩建项目于2018年3月完成，为津国家电网增加了300兆瓦发电量。

　　万吉火电站是发电领域另一个重要的合作项目。项目去年启动建设，目前进展顺利，预计将耗时42个月建成，为当地创造3000个就业岗位。

　　穆加贝国际机场改扩建项目、新议会大厦项目目前也已经全部动工。其中，新议会大厦是完全使用中国政府无偿援助实施的项目。

The Kariba South Hydro-power Station Extension Project was successfully commissioned in March 2018. It has added 300 MW to the national grid.

The Hwange Power Plant is another very important project in the power generation area. The construction was started last year and is now well underway. It will take 42 months to complete and will create 3000 jobs for the local people.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Expansion Project and the New Parliament building project have also taken off. The Parliament building is a grant project by the Chinese government.