As ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza pushes to interview Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Asian country’s deputy ambassador has made an initial response on the thorny subject of the country’s alleged colonisation of Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa. This follows an exclusive expose’ by ZimEye over the paying of black workers in coins, by a Norton based Chinese company (video below- 12 million views to date, the most viewed online video in Zimbabwean history).

(Readers please note that ambassador Zhao has in the last 2 days asked to have this interview briefer kept from the public eye as he threatened saying its disclosure would amount to what he termed a breaking of journalism rules.)

We however release it for both public safety as well as legal reasons seeing the ongoing COVID-19 health risks that have seen Chinese visitors (potentially infected with coronavirus) being unleashed into the community without medical safety procedures such as quarantining. Another worry is the death of nearly 200 people from what the government claims is malaria, one of which is of a 7 year old COVID female patient of whom the state on Wednesday instructed doctors to certify as of malaria.

Furthermore the embassy has been given ample time since Sunday evening.

“….do we do it by force? Do we come here to take over the land? Do we kill people? Okay? Anyway, I think you should have your standards to make the judgement.”

ZB: – “Do you know how Zimbabwe is colonised?”

SC – Errm, are you saying is colonised or was colonised?

ZB: – “Errm, I mean do you know how Zimbabwe was colonised by the UK or by the Rhodes’ forces?”

SC – Oh, that was by force, that was definitely by both force and coercion. So it was a combination of force.

ZB: – “They killed. A lot of Zimbabweans were killed, and in the first Chimurenga, right? And, so I have several standards to judge whether it is colonisation or not, first do we do it by force? Do we come here to take over the land? Do we kill people? Okay? Anyway, I think you should have your standards to make the judgement, anyway, so we can set another date.”

Date: 26 April 2020

TRANSCRIPT BRIEF WITH CHINESE AMBASSADOR ZHAO BAOGANG

Simba Chikanza (SC) with ambassador Zhao Baogang (ZB) at 6pm

SC – My interview with President Xi Jinping seeks to look into the future and the welfare of both Zimbabwean and Chinese citizens, locally and internationally.
SC – Are you happy with the general treatment of Chinese citizens by the government of Zimbabwe? I am looking into the future of both Zimbabweans and Chinese people, as currently Chinese citizens are being allowed into the country while locals are subjected to mandatory quarantining.

SC – Do the Self quarantine luxuries currently guaranteed Chinese citizens by the Zim govt, not create a looming-disaster against both the people and the government of China in the future?

ZB: – “Can we do it this way, you can send me a list of questions then I will think about it, then we could have some appointment, then we answer your questions, is that okay?”

SC – How much in value are the repayable loans that China has given Zimbabwe since the 2017 coup?

ZB: – “You can write down the questions and if I am in a position to answer the questions I will answer you then you have to check with others, that would be the most appropriate thing to do.

SC – Is China colonising Zimbabwe and Africa at large?

ZB: – “Eh, I think, all these are noted, and then I will think about it and how to answer your question. And do you know what is colonisation?”

SC – Colonisation is the takeover of a country by a foreign government whether that is done by force or done by coercion.

ZB: – “Do you know how Zimbabwe is colonised?”

SC – Errm, are you saying is colonised or was colonised?

ZB: – “Errm, I mean do you know how Zimbabwe was colonised by the UK or by the Rhodes’ forces?”

SC – Oh, that was by force, that was definitely by both force and coercion. So it was a combination of force.

ZB: – “They killed. A lot of Zimbabweans were killed, and in the first Chimurenga, right? And, so I have several standards to judge whether it is colonisation or not, first do we do it by force? Do we come here to take over the land? Do we kill people? Okay? Anyway, I think you should have your standards to make the judgement, anyway, so we can set another date.”

SC – There is also one which comes from a group of our community that is interested in wildlife and tourism. They are asking about – What measures President Jinping has taken to stop illegal trade of Wild animals between China and Zimbabwe. And amid allegations that the Chinese government is involved in this illegal trade.

ZB: – “It is already, no trade in wildlife between Zimbabwe and China now, no wildlife trade. So then anyway, you can send me the list of questions and we can set another date for the interview. Okay?

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