ZIMBABWE yesterday celebrated its National Day and put on a stunning display of its investment potential at the historic Shanghai Expo here with Zimbabwe and China pledging to enhance the excellent bilateral relations that have seen Beijing come through for Zimbabwe in times of need from the time of the liberation struggle to the present era of neo-colonial subversion.

The President, who touched down at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport around 11:50 hours local time (05:50 Zim time) made a brief stopover at his hotel in this futuristic city, dubbed ‘‘the Pearl of the Orient’ before proceeding straight to the Shanghai Expo Centre where he held talks with China’s Minister of Housing and Construction, Mr Jiang Weixin who pledged China’s continued support to Zimbabwe.

The President, in turn thanked the people and Government of China for being Zimba-bwe’s all weather friend saying whereas in the past Zimbabwe’s relationship with China was to achieve the objectives of the liberation struggle, the country needed China’s support as much today, as it did in the past given the sabre-rattling from the West.

Mr Jiang said China would continue doing all it can to ensure that Zimbabwe achieves its objectives of holistic independence.

From the meeting, the two leaders proceeded to a luncheon before joining delegates gathered in the auditorium at the giant Expo Centre where they were being entertained by short-films depicting Zimbabwe’s history from the time of colonisation through the liberation struggle to the attainment of independence in 1980 and what the country has to offer in various sectors ranging from agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism.

Delegates were also entertained by a Zimbabwean Cultural Group that performed dance routines and skits titled "My Zimbabwe", whose script was written by Zimbabwe’s literary gurus Aaron Chiundura Moyo and Memory Chirere and directed by Lwazi Tshabangu and Ngobile Malinga.

The President and First Lady, and their host Mr Jiang and the Zimbabwean delegation that included Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi, Industry and International Trade Minister Welshman Ncube, Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Tapiwa Mashakada, Water Resources Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, and Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Gift Chimanikire.

Several parastatal heads and captains of industry then arrived at the giant auditorium to the sound of the Chinese Brass Band that was playing a celebratory marching song that soon gave way to the Zimbabwean National Anthem as the Zimbabwean flag was raised by three Chinese Defence Forces officers.

Mr Jiang then took, the stage where he reiterated China’s continued support for Zimbabwe saying Zim-Sino relations could be traced to the Ming Dynasty as porcelain fragments from that era were unearthed during excavations at the Great Zimbabwe Monument.

In his address to the gathering, President Mugabe thanked China for funding Zimbabwe’s participation at the Expo saying the Chinese government had shown its dedication to providing a global exchange platform on building well-balanced, sustainable cities.

‘‘Zimbabwe and China share common goals and ideals from the time of my country’s liberation struggle, when China was at the forefront in assisting us materially and morally to achieve our liberation and independence.

"It is thus natural and logical for us to forge a strategic relationship with an all-weather friend such as the People’s Republic of China which stood with us in our hour of greatest need.’’

The Expo is being held under he theme, ‘Better City, Better Life.’

‘‘Your Excellency, with the theme ‘Better City, Better Life,’ China could not have identified a bigger sociological challenge of our time, deserving collective attention.

In fact, we consider this World Expo theme to be a fitting continuation of the dialogue on sustainable development that both Zimbabwe and China are deeply committed to.

‘‘Undoubtedly, there is real need to strike a balance between the unrelenting push to urbanise with the legitimate need to protect our environment and ensure sustainable development,’’ President Mugabe said.

The United Nations estimates that by the end of this year, the urban population will account for 55 percent of mankind raising the spectre of an increase in slum conditions.

To this end, the President said, the world — Zimbabwe included — was paying greater attention to the challenges of rapid urbanisation.

The President expressed hope that the various innovations on display at the Expo, many of which were geared to the need to establish eco-friendly cities, would help in developing some of the solutions and policies that would help improve the quality of life for urban dwellers in a sustainable manner.

‘‘The theme ‘Better City, Better Life’ has lots of relevance for many countries, including my own.

"Although Zimbabwe is still largely rural, the pressures of urbanisation are inexorable, hence our adoption of the theme ‘Transforming Our Communities for a Better Life,’ which is underpinned by two sub-themes, namely: ‘improving life in rural communities; and ‘improving life in urban communities.’

"For us, this is a clear recognition of the fact that when you improve lives in rural areas, then you reduce the pressure on urban settlements.’’

Pursuant to this, Zimbabwe embarked on the land reform programme at the turn of the millennium in a bid to improve livelihoods and de-congest the countryside, along with a slum clearance and reconstruction programme in 2005.

The President hailed China for facilitating a unique mix of the world’s cultures at the Expo, that had drawn 38 million visitors by yesterday, as a showcase with both educational and great entertainment value.

‘‘Apart from the distinct issues surrounding the theme, the Expo has many other important values.

"Just having millions of Chinese people and other nationalities passing through our pavilion is an invaluable opportunity for us to showcase the best of what Zimbabwe has to offer; its history, its traditions, culture, tourism diversity, as well as its trade and investment opportuni- ties.

‘‘We, therefore, hope that visitors to our stand, will be able to experience, a bit of all the above and thereby further deepen our friendship and expand co-operation.’’

And visitors to the Zimbabwean stand in the African Pavilion, to which the President and his delegation proceeded after the National Day Celebrations and a tour of the host’s impressive pavilion, obviously did.

Built like the Great Enclosure, complete with Conical Tower and that distinctive Chevron pattern, the Zimbabwean stand was the toast of the African Pavilion.

The President and is delegation were taken on a tour of the stand by Chrispen Tsvarayi of Zim Trade, who explained in detail what each display panel, that highlighted the full array of Zimbabwe’s investment opportunities depicted to the inquisitive visitor.

The President is today expected to visit the Province of Anoi before proceeding to Beijing where he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao.