Eyewitness News
Edited by Winnie Theletsane
2nd December 2015
HARARE – Zimbabweans have been reacting to news of 12 deals signed between President Robert Mugabe’s government and a delegation led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese leader touched down in Zimbabwe yesterday on a visit many hope will be a major boost for the country’s economy.
An editorial in today’s main state-run Herald newspaper says a new era of economic co-operation between Harare and Beijing has been ushered in.
The most significant deal signed at State House yesterday was a loan of around $1,2 billion for the desperately-needed refurbishment of the Hwange Power Station, in the west of the country.
Another deal is for the construction of a new Parliament building outside Harare.
But Some Zimbabweans are sceptical.
Opposition official David Coltart says these deals are likely to employ few Zimbabweans and involve few local companies.