Diplomacy / Zimbabwe
An all-weather friend in Africa
President Xi’s historic visit to Zimbabwe marks a breakthrough in the strengthening of ties.
Last year, Robert Mugabe made his 13th state-visit to China. Not every leader is met with a 21-gun salute outside the Great Hall of the People, but China and Zimbabwe are old friends. Forged in Zimbabwe’s struggle for Independence as the Rhodesian Bush war raged, China threw its support behind the Zanu Party. When elections in 1980 gave President Mugabe victory, China’s close ties were cemented. From a hostile international system to the panic of hyperinflation, the relationship has weathered many turbulent moments.
Both presidents used last year’s state-visit to reaffirm this relationship. For President Xi, it was “forged in the glorious years when we stood shoulder-to-shoulder against imperialism, colonialism and hegemony.” The foundations of which remain strong today with bilateral trade at $1.3 billion, as Zimbabwe, in the words of President Mugabe, “prepares to build on them as we develop our economies.”
Last year 80 percent of all foreign direct investment into Zimbabwe originated from a Chinese source. Zimbabwe’s rich supply of natural materials provide a solid economic basis for further collaboration and the recent expansion of Victoria Falls Airport and the Kariba South Hydro Power Plant are two projects on a long list that are rebooting the country’s infrastructure with Chinese money.
A close friendship has not meant unconditional support. Failure to repay loans and a difficult business environment has raised doubts over unqualified Chinese funding. However this year marks the Forum on China-African Cooperation’s 6th ministerial conference. Attended by President Xi, China’s anticipated policy of investment for Africa will be announced in a year when these two old friends celebrate 35 years of diplomatic ties.
