Zimbabweans reject Chinese influence

(Baonghean.vn)- The 93-year-old leader is not the only "target" of attack by the Zimbabwean people, but they also expressed anger towards Mr. Mugabe's decades-long ally, China.

Zimbabweans cheer in front of Parliament after President Mugabe resigned. Photo: AP

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans took to the streets of Harare over the weekend to demand the resignation of President Robert Mugabe. However, the 93-year-old leader was not the only target of criticism from Zimbabweans, who also expressed anger at Mugabe's decades-long ally, China.

Finally, the president who has been in power for nearly two decades in Zimbabwe has given in to pressure from within his own ruling party and announced his resignation on November 21.

Beijing will be watching closely what happens next. Vice President Emmerson Mnangawa, who was sacked by Mr Mugabe, has returned to lead the ZANU-PF party, and is expected to take over as president.

Anti-Chinese sentiment has been rife in Zimbabwe, as citizens perceive the Asian nation's support for a government that has left most of the country unemployed and impoverished.

“The political leaders have received broad support from China, through Beijing providing military equipment, weapons and intelligence to prop up the Mugabe regime. The protesters on the streets know this,” said Charles Laurie, head of risk fund Verisk Maplecroft.

For China, Zimbabwe is not the most strategically important country in the region, but maintaining ties with Harare is part of Beijing’s larger interests in the region. China is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner.

“China is focusing on cooperation with countries like Zimbabwe that were once under colonial rule and have had difficult relationships with the West,” said Cobus van Staden, a senior fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs. “Maintaining these relationships is an important part of China’s development and its plan to reorient the global political order.”

And Mugabe joined this ambition with his “Look East” policy, after the West imposed sanctions on the country at the turn of the millennium.

However, China has become increasingly concerned about Zimbabwe’s economic instability. Despite its stance of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, Beijing has shown signs of losing patience as Mugabe’s economic mismanagement has undermined China’s interests in the African nation.

“China wants a stable Zimbabwe with a predictable government and rule of law, so they can be assured that their investments here are safe,” said Alex Vines, head of the Africa Program at Chatham House.

Whether China supports the Zimbabwean military's plan to seize power last week remains in doubt.

Observers agree that China will do business with whoever is in power in Zimbabwe. The Chinese government is now “tacitly” backing Mr Mugabe’s successor, former vice president Mnangagwa, even as it faces greater competition if Western investment returns to Zimbabwe under the new government.

Despite China's widespread support across much of the continent, a recent survey found that Zimbabweans feel more uneasy about China's influence than any other African country.

“There is a strong view that Chinese investment engagement has stifled Zimbabwean business,” said Laurie.

Vines said a quick, smooth transition of power to a post-Mugabe era is the most likely scenario at this point, as everyone wants a successful and financially profitable Zimbabwe.

Lan Ha

(According to Nikkei Asian Review)