United States Ambassador to Harare, Pamela Marie Tremont, has said Chinese investments in Zimbabwe have not improved the lives of ordinary citizens, pointing to rising poverty and growing inequalities as evidence, reported <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/chinese-investment-in-zimbabwe-not-benefiting-citizens-us-ambassador/">ZimLive</a>.
In a podcast interview with J.W. Oliver, Tremont said the number of Zimbabweans living below the poverty line has doubled since 2011, despite the substantial Chinese investment in the country. She added:
<blockquote>
Welfare equality in Zimbabwe is actually getting worse. The rich are getting richer. The poor are getting poorer.
</blockquote>
Tremont identified weak regulations as a key issue, particularly in the mining sector, where labour rights are frequently ignored, and workers are exposed to hazardous conditions. She said:
<blockquote>
Investors have come here without any guardrails, without any guarantees that what they’re taking out of the country is benefiting the people of Zimbabwe.
And so, a lot of that investment and job creation hasn’t really gone to benefit the people of Zimbabwe. Their labour rights aren’t protected.
They’re not paid a fair wage; they’re not given safe work environments. They work in horrific conditions, sometimes using child labour.
</blockquote>
Tremont urged the Zimbabwean government to ensure that foreign investments benefit citizens by providing fair wages and safe working conditions.
She contrasted Chinese investments with U.S.-backed initiatives like Zimworks, which she praised for adhering to higher ethical standards. Said the U.S. ambassador:
<blockquote>
U.S. companies bring a completely different standard of investment to Zimbabwe.
That’s why there’s such a hunger for more first-world investment, which avoids the abuses we’ve seen in sectors like mining.
</blockquote>
There is competition between the United States and China in Zimbabwe which is part of a broader geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalry playing out across Africa.
Since Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, its relations with both the US and China have evolved.
Initially, Zimbabwe maintained strong ties with Western countries, but these relations deteriorated over issues such as land reforms and human rights.
In response, the US and other Western nations imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, leading to its economic isolation.
This prompted Zimbabwe to seek new allies, adopting the “Look East” policy and strengthening its relationship with China.
As a result, China has become a major investor in Zimbabwe, particularly in sectors like mining, infrastructure, and agriculture.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Chinese investment in Zimbabwe has not helped regular people. The US Ambassador said poverty has increased and the rich keep getting richer. Chinese companies in mining don't protect workers' rights. The Ambassador wants Zimbabwe to make sure foreign investments pay fair wages and keep workers safe. US companies, like Zimworks, are better at this. Zimbabwe used to be friends with the US but turned to China for help. China now invests a lot in Zimbabwe. The US and China are competing for influence in Africa.

Chinese Investment In Zimbabwe Has Not Benefited Ordinary Citizens - US Ambassador

The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe has criticised the United States government after the country’s Ambassador-Designate to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, claimed that Chinese investments in Africa do not benefit ordinary people but benefit those in power.
Tremont made the remarks while responding to questions from US senators about how America can better counter Chinese influence in Africa and growing investment during the nomination hearings on 1 March.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 19 March, the Chinese Embassy said the United States should respect the right of Zimbabweans and Africans to choose their friends without external interference. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The US senators and government officials wantonly discussed Zimbabwe’s internal affairs and even smeared China-Zimbabwe cooperation.
I want to challenge them, ‘Who gives them the right to point fingers at other countries’ diplomatic relations?’ The US’ old habit never changes’.
We strongly suggest that the US politicians should study the word ‘respect’ and respect Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty, respect the African countries and African people, and respect the normal cooperation between Zimbabwe and other countries.
Zimbabwe has the right to develop friendly relations with any other country without external influence or pressure.
Please remember, Zimbabwe should not be used as a battlefield for the US to counter China, and should not be used as a wrestling ground for major-country rivalry.
We believe that the Zimbabwe government and its people will not allow this to happen in their territory.
</blockquote>
The Chinese Embassy rejected Tremont’s assertion that Chinese projects such as the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden will not benefit the people of Zimbabwe, saying:
<blockquote>
Is the US Capitol not serving the interests of the US people, and is it just benefiting the US congressmen and senators?
If so, the US should stop its budget for maintaining and protecting the Capitol. The US always advocates its model of “democracy”.
Why does Zimbabwe not need a new Parliament building to develop the nation’s democracy?
… It’s easy to find out where the Chinese funds are used and what benefits are generated. This is the best transparency.
If the US failed and even doesn’t want to find out the truth, it is not qualified to comment. We noticed that the new ambassador alleged the US invested US$4.5 billion in Zimbabwe. It is more than one-third of the foreign currency inflows of Zimbabwe for a whole year.
We are curious where the money went, what projects have been completed, what benefits have been brought to the Zimbabwean people, and how much has been spent on “defending democratic space to improve the election system.
If anyone wants to talk about competition, let’s compete on ‘Who contributes more to the development of Zimbabwe?’
If anyone wants to counter something, let’s counter-hegemony and interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chinese Embassy In Zimbabwe Criticises United States Over Diplomat's Remarks

United States of America Ambassador-Designate to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, says Zimbabweans are aware that Chinese investment in the country does not benefit ordinary people but benefits those in power.
Tremont made the remarks while responding to questions from US senators about how America can better counter Chinese influence in Africa and growing investment during the nomination hearings on 1 March.
She claimed the US$4.5 billion investments by the United States directly benefited Zimbabweans while Chinese investments, such as the Parliament building do not necessarily benefit the Zimbabwean people. <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zimbabweans-aware-chinese-investments-dont-really-benefit-them-us-official/">CITE</a> quoted Tremont as saying:
<blockquote>
Yes, Zimbabwe and China have a long-standing relationship that goes all the way back to Zimbabwe’s war of independence.
I think the difference between Chinese investments in Zimbabwe and perhaps other places in Africa, is the US investments of US$4.5 billion that we have invested in Zimbabwean people, have been for the people.
700 000 Zimbabweans benefited from our food security and agricultural programme last year.
It is tremendously important in light of the food shortages brought on by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine whereas the Chinese investments are much more for the government of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
She was responding to Senator John Barrasso’s observation that in 2022, President Emmerson Mnangagwa commended Zimbabwe’s “excellent relations” with China.
The Chinese built Zimbabwe’s new Parliament building in Mount Hampden at a cost of US$200 million “for free”.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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