An evaluation of China's influence in Zimbabwe's internal affairs from 2003 to 2018

Abstract

The study examined China’s influence in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe from 2013 to 2018. It determined the push and pull factors that drove the China-Zimbabwe diplomatic relations, it examines the implications of China-Zimbabwe engagement on China and Zimbabwe. The study amassed together a theoretical framework that subscribed to structural realism and a qualitative research design that targeted experts and professionals in the field of international relations, economics and politics, to come up with valid findings on the subject. Secondary data was also contextualised through content data analysis to give empirical evidence on shortfalls identified above to answer the research questions. The study also identified spheres of China’s influence and implications of how these aided China’s influence were drawn, and these included, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), military training and exchange, Information Communications Technology (ICT) and infrastructure development, the Look East Policy (LEP), mining and agriculture. Overall, the study established that the historic background, partisanship and Zimbabwe’s dire socio-economic and political phenomena caused by the imposed sanctions cultivated deep diplomatic relations between the two counterparts and has led to renewed and reaffirmed bilateral relations under the stronghold of the Look East Policy. The study also discusses the machinery of the push and pull factors that include the openness of the LEP as a direct invitation of the Chinese nationals and investment companies who in turn seek for new target markets and redistribution of their population. It further highlights how the economic relationship under the LEP also assures Zimbabwe’s continuity to do international trade and relations with China despite the isolation from the West. The research also concludes that the push and pull factors of the bilateral relations encompass the need by China to exploit natural resources while her counterparts enjoy FDIs and interest free loans.