Ten Chinese photographers are in Zimbabwe to take photographs of
the country's scenic beauty to showcase in China and help promote a
better understanding of Zimbabwe and the region as tourist
destination.
The group, which arrived on Wednesday, will be in Zimbabwe until
Feb. 1 and are expected to visit a number of tourist resorts
including the Victoria Falls, Kariba, Great Zimbabwe and the
Eastern Highlands.
On Thursday the photographers held a photographic exhibition at
the Rainbow Towers where they showcased pictures of China to
Zimbabweans.
Officially opening the exhibition, the Deputy Minister of
Environment and Tourism, Cde Andrew Langa, said the visit would
further cement the cordial relations between Zimbabwe and
China.
He said the Look East Policy adopted by Government had seen an
increase, not only in tourist arrivals from China but trade and
other relations as well.
"It is through such exchanges as this photo exhibition that the
relationship continues to be cemented. Our two countries have a lot
to offer to each other and we are happy that such cultural
exchanges and tourism between China and Zimbabwe are increasing,"
he said.
He said following the attainment of the approved destination
status by Zimbabwe in 2004, tourist traffic to Zimbabwe from China
was growing. Zimbabwe now receives more 10,000 tourists from China
per year.
"It is heartening to note that out of such efforts we can get
tangible results as we witness here today. The photographers with
us here had the whole of the African continent to choose from, but
they settled for southern Africa with Zimbabwe being their major
destination and more so the home of their exhibition," Langa
said.
Head of the Chinese delegation Jia Jianbing said the African
continent had always been desirable and exciting for Chinese
photographers, especially Zimbabwe, which is Africa's paradise.
"We are not only holding the exhibition here to showcase our
country, China, to Zimbabwean people, but also planning to take
pictures of fascinating cities, villages, cultural monuments as
well as scenic spots of Zimbabwe and to reveal the fascinating
scenery and the hospitality of Zimbabwean people," Jia said.
Apart from the photo exhibition, the Chinese photographers will
also expose themselves to the charming cities, villages, national
parks as well as cultural monuments of Zambia and Botswana for
picture shooting.
This event which is the first on the continent is expected to
play a significant role in consolidating and expanding Sino-Africa
friendship and amicable cooperation.
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2008)