The Chinese foreign minister is visiting Zimbabwe, to "consolidate the friendship between the two peoples”. Experts accuse Beijing instead of plundering the country, supporting the dictatorial Mugabe government and financing operations in exchange for diamonds, platinum, farmland.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi’s two day visit to Zimbabwe begins today.  The African nation is suffering under economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation of the western states for the dictatorial government of Robert Mugabe. Beijing is seeking to secure the exploitation of rich platinum deposits, overcoming the strong opposition of local politicians who believe China wants to swindle the country.

Yang is expected to meet President Mugabe and important politicians. But Beijing has not revealed the official program, speaking in general terms of a "further consolidation of ties and friendship between the two peoples."

Recently, however, a major controversy has erupted over the Chinese proposal to secure for the price of  3 billion US dollars, the exploitation of the platinum deposits in Chegutu (as well as rights to a diamond mine and tax exemptions), extended over an area of 110 square kilometres and worth at least 40 billion. The media speak of a “rip-off", reporting that Zimbabwean Minister for Finance, Tendai Biti, has accused Beijing of trying to "grab" mineral resources, taking advantage of the country’s bankruptcy and need of money to revitalize the economy. The Minister has not confirmed or denied the reports, except to say that "there is an ongoing negotiation."

China has supported Zimbabwe since it first fought against Britain for independence, when Beijing provided arms and soldiers trained in guerrilla warfare. Recently, China vetoed proposed United Nations Security Council sanctions against the dictatorial Mugabe government, which has brought the country to famine. For years, Zimbabwe has had terrible inflation, which is now under control (a photo a few years ago when 3 eggs cost 100 billion local dollars). Chinese firms are involved in major projects in Zimbabwe, such as building infrastructure, government buildings and a large sports stadium. The China Development Bank is considering investing 10 billion in the fields of mining, agriculture and infrastructure.

Local experts blame China's colonialist mentality, helping the government but without caring about the needs of the population. Beijing has secured major mineral resources (diamonds, gold, coal and chrome), as well as the exploitation of large agricultural and industrial areas and is progressively taking over economic control of the country. In exchange for loans, China achieved major mining rights or land-and tax exemptions for its companies. The funds are then, often, used for infrastructure built by Chinese firms with Chinese staff. The Chinese traders have migrated and invaded the country with cheap Chinese products, which strangle local production. In 2010 China exported goods there to the tune of 159 million dollars.

Takavafira Zhou, political scientist at Masvingo State University, talks about "Chinese imperialism. Chinese entrepreneurs are killing local businesses, unfortunately, with the blessing of Zanu-PF (Mugabe's party).

• China
• Zimbabwe
• exploitation
• sanctions
• mining
• economics
• Mugabe
• mines
• land
• colonialism