China And Zimbabwe In Retrospect

This research seeks to identify the implication of the Look East Policy on Sino-Zimbabwe relations. One of the main objectives of this research is to also analyze if this policy was a catalyst to the development of both China and Zimbabwe.The problem that this paper seeks to address is, whether this policy has been beneficial to both China and Zimbabwe. The importance of analyzing the benefits of this policy is that it helps clarify on whether this policy was called for or not. Assessing from Zimbabwe's history, the Look east Policy was implemented after the country had been bit by sanctions from the West, this has made this policy face a lot of criticism from western scholars who claim that this policy does not enhance mutual benefit for China and Zimbabwe but rather a partnership of convenience.This investigation was undertaken using secondary sources such as journals, published articles, published books, news, radio programmes, documentaries and searched internet sites with related information to my topic.This research has come with the findings that China's role in Zimbabwe has long been controversial and often cited as a dubious example by Western scholars like Barclay. The west always aligns their assistance with governance issues which China has rendered "none of their business," China aims to create bilateral relations without giving instructions on how a country should govern itself. This is one of the major reasons why China's role in Zimbabwe is extraordinary. Chinese approach is one that is grounded on the developmentally defined doctrine, the "five principles of peaceful coexistence", namely "win-win", "non-interference", "respect for diversity", "economic development" and "sovereignty. These findings mean that Sino-Zimbabwe relations are tied on a mutual understanding where china is developing infrastructure in Zimbabwe and China is sourcing raw materials and minerals from Zimbabwe. Despite criticism from the west this partnership seems beneficial to both parties. On the other hand, some scholars argue that Zimbabwe has been on the receiving end as the Chinese has done a lot for Zimbabwe at a time when the west had turned its back on Zimbabwe. Others argue that China has gained much more from Zimbabwe as they are exhausting Zimbabwe's natural resources in return for minor favours but in this research I have observed that this has truly been a "win win" situation for both countries.Chapter 1 INTROUCTIONThis chapter will look at the evolution of the look east policy.The term "Look East Policy" is said to have been coined by Dr.Mahathir bin Mohammad who was the prime Minister of Malaysia in 1981.this policy was adopted by many countries including India and Malaysia. Zimbabwe also adopted this policy but with a slightly different motive from these other countries. In Zimbabwe it was adopted in 2003 after it had been hit by sanctions from the west after implementing the land reform programme. This chapter also explores the Zimbabwean government's intentions when it implemented the policy and how it intensified a new relationship with the East especially China. The policy is intended to discover new acquaintances in the East to enable Zimbabwe's development process. For Zimbabwe there has been the emergence of hostility between herself and most of the Western Countries. The loss of friendly actors in the West has had negative effects on the Zimbabwean society, particularly in respect of the shortage of foreign exchange and declining investment.Chapter 2 The Look East Policy in ZimbabweThis chapter focuses on the background of the Look East Policy in Zimbabwe and also will look at this same policy in other countries like India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Malaysia, it attempts to view how other countries have also handled this policy. The chapter will also look deeper into the socio-economic and political implications of this policy to Zimbabwe and China in particular. India launched its Look East Policy in 1991 not only as a foreign policy alternative but as a development alternative in line with globalization and the resurgence of Asia as an economic power house. The year 2001 saw Bangladesh adopting the Look East Policy in order to diversify the destination of its various exports previously western oriented and respond to the booming economies of South and East Asia. The idea was not geared towards severing ties with the west per se, but to increase its global share of the world market. Zimbabwe adopted the Look East Policy with a view to deal with Zimbabwe's severe economic problems and estrangement from western technology, sources of capital and trade The Zimbabwean Look East Policy which has seen Zimbabwe enjoying cordial relations with South Asian countries and Far Eastern countries. Zimbabwe's Look East Policy has demonstrated that a development path without the west can be realized. For the west in this globalization era it has emerged that confrontation, sanctions, threats and demonization will not work in favour of western interests and have a potential of generating much more division as some more like minded states may soon follow the Zimbabwean path leading to a shift in terms of global power getting into the hands of China.Chapter 3 Sino-Zimbabwe relations and the Look East PolicyThe Chapter will look at how the Look East policy has helped intensify relations between China and Zimbabwe, and how the two countries have benefited from this policy. It will also show how the policy has created a new era for both Zimbabwe and china in terms of social, economic and political developments. Mugabe places great importance on Zimbabwe's relations with China, especially after 2003 standoff with the European Union resulted in capital flight and economic depression. Ties have deepened in line with Zimbabwe's political isolation from the European Union; China has been described as the only major international supporter of Zimbabwe, due to their principle of non-interference in internal affairs such as human rights issues, China strives to strengthen and develop a long term stable political relationship with Africa featured by friendship, mutual trust and cooperation in an all round way. China wishes to enhance mutual visits between the leaders of the 2 sides as well as exchanges of various circles so as to increase mutual understanding, expand common grounds strengthen friendships and promote cooperationChapter 4 The Effect of the Look East PolicyThe role of the policy will be examined in this chapter, has this policy gained any fruits? Or has it had a positive impact on both China and Zimbabwe's bilateral relations. Did the policy bring any change? This is one question this chapter will answer. If this policy did bring change is it positive or negative? The whole initiative of the look east policy was initially to try and revitalize Zimbabwe's economy after it had been hit by sanctions. This was a move which was largely based on trade and economical emancipation for Zimbabwe since most of its trade associates had cut their contracts because of the sanctions, now the only option which was left was to look east. With an economy growing at an average annual rate of around 10% in recent years, China is undoubtedly a global economic tiger. China is experiencing an impressive economic boom virtually unparallel in the past two or so decades. As part of its "Look East" foreign policy strategy, Zimbabwe has sought to strengthen its ties with China-a move that has alarmed many Western states. While not necessarily denying the pragmatism behind such a strategy, I examine how this policy represents an attempt by the Zimbabwean government and its leader, Robert Mugabe, to redirect the public imagination toward a different identity at the domestic and international levels.