China-Zimbabwe Relations:the Economic And Political Impacts Of The Chinese Presence In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe went through its worst ever political and socio economic situation in its post-independence history during the years of2000-2009. During this time frame the nation experienced a drastic economical downfall and an unstable political situation. Due to the worsening standards of the economy and human right records, the nation’s trading partners and aid donors from the West started to pull out from the country discontinuing their political and commercial assistance. In the wake of isolation and sanctions from the West, China increased its stakes in Zimbabwe. China does not intervene in other countries domestic matters and so it rejected calls from the West to put pressure on the Zimbabwean government for political and economic reforms. Therefore, China offered both economic and political assistance in different ways to Zimbabwe. China provided the Mugabe administration with several trading arrangements, loans, aid, investments and as well as diplomatic support in the United Nations Security Council during the crisis period. The study explains the post-2000nature of China’s increased involvement with Zimbabwe and explores the economic and political effects resulting from this close tie between the two nations. The study revealed that China’s assistance was of great significance to buy time for the Zimbabwean government against Western sanctions despite falling short of avoiding the collapse of the country’s political and economic situation.