By Tichaona Chifamba

    HARARE, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has benefited a great deal over the past years through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Secretary for Regional Integration and International Cooperation for Foreign Ministry, Tadeous Chifamba, said on Thursday.

    In an interview with Xinhua, Chifamba said Zimbabwe has benefited from FOCAC programs and projects, which include the provision of rural schools and clinics, the setting up of an agricultural technology demonstration center and the provision of educational scholarships.

    "Zimbabwe has benefited from a number of interest free loans as well as small grants from China. China has also been active in financing agricultural production and mechanization," Chifamba said.

    The FOCAC seeks to establish mutually beneficial cooperation between China and its African partners, with emphasis on win-win economic partnerships and cultural exchanges.

    Chifamba said China and Zimbabwe are adherents to the principles of self-determination, sovereign equality and noninterference in the domestic affairs of nations, with Zimbabwe taking lessons on issues of popular empowerment and wealth distribution.

    On the international forum, China and Africa share common positions and give each other supports at UN meetings.

    All these are cemented with the diplomatic presence in each other's territory, he said.

    "China has also invested in diverse sectors of the Zimbabwean economy, including agriculture where it is involved in tobacco contract farming, and in mining platinum, copper and ferro-chrome," he said.

    "It has also been involved in transport and infrastructure development, including rural electrification, telecommunications, the National Railways of Zimbabwe, national carrier Air Zimbabwe and airport upgrading," he said.

    Zimbabwe was the first African country to take delivery of Chinese-built MA60 aircraft several years ago. Since then, several other countries have followed suit.

    Chifamba also highlighted Chinese investments in cement production and the retail sector.

    The good relations between China and Zimbabwe have also promoted greater people-to-people contacts, more cultural exchange programs, and the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe, which teaches students Chinese culture and language, he said.

    Looking at the challenges ahead, Chifamba said Zimbabwe had not fully optimized the benefits of bilateral cooperation because of balance of payments constraints which resulted from persistent droughts and the impact of sanctions.