Conversation
11.27.17
What Does Mugabe’s Resignation Mean for China?
On November 15, soldiers placed the 93-year-old Robert Mugabe under house arrest. Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe since the country gained independence in 1980. On November 21, he resigned after 37 years in power. China, Zimbabwe’s largest foreign...
ChinaFile Recommends
11.22.17China Turns Its Back on Comrade Bob to Embrace Change in Zimbabwe
Guardian
Confirmation of Robert Mugabe’s ouster prompted revelry on the streets of Harare. “The Goblin has gone!” raved one.
ChinaFile Recommends
11.21.17Mugabe's Downfall Could Be Good Business for China
Bloomberg
China has seen its influence rise in Zimbabwe during Robert Mugabe’s nearly four decades in power, becoming the African nation’s third-largest trading partner and biggest foreign investor. Beijing might gain even more if he goes.
ChinaFile Recommends
11.17.17There's Legitimate Suspicion That China Approved of Zimbabwe's Coup
Quartz
When general Constantino Guveya Chiwenga, head of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), was on his way to China in early November, his vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa was being unceremoniously dismissed from the government and the ruling ZANU-PF...
ChinaFile Recommends
11.16.17Zimbabwe Army Chief's Trip to China Last Week Raises Questions on Coup
Guardian
When one of the architects of Zimbabwe’s low-key coup landed in Beijing last week he was met by two of the most senior members of the world’s largest military force.
ChinaFile Recommends
11.15.17‘Bloodless’ Takeover ‘Won’t Dampen’ Chinese Investment in Zimbabwe
South China Morning Post
China will continue to invest in its “all-weather friend” Zimbabwe despite a military takeover of the African country’s government, observers said.
Depth of Field
04.03.16
Meet ‘Depth of Field’: The Month’s Best Chinese Photojournalism
from Yuanjin Photo
Welcome to ChinaFile’s inaugural “Depth of Field” column. In collaboration with Yuanjin Photo, an independent photo blog published by photographers Yan Cong and Ye Ming on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, we will highlight new and...
The China Africa Project
03.25.16
Continental Shift: How China is Changing Africa
For their new book, Continental Shift: A Journey into Africa’s 21st Century, South African authors Kevin Bloom and Richard Poplak embarked on a 14-country odyssey across two continents over a span of five years to report on Africa’s changing...
ChinaFile Recommends
12.01.15China's Xi In Zimbabwe To Sign Power, Infrastructure Deals
Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, the first visit by a Chinese leader since 1996.
Conversation
11.24.15
The China Africa Relationship: Crossroads or Cliff?
As we approach the sixth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Johannesburg, we try better to understand the main issues that surely will arise when Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma meet on December 4...
ChinaFile Recommends
10.27.15President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe Turns Down Confucius Peace Prize
New York Times
Mr. Mugabe decided to reject the prize after learning that it had nothing to do with the Chinese government.
ChinaFile Recommends
10.22.15Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe Awarded 'China's Nobel Peace Prize'
Guardian
Confucius peace prize chairman defends decision to give award to leader accused of using systematic violence to maintain power.
The China Africa Project
10.05.15
Are the Good Times Over for China and Africa?
One of the prevailing media narratives of China’s recent economic turmoil is the effect that it could have on emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Now that the Chinese economy is showing real signs of slowing, the story goes, Beijing will soon...
The China Africa Project
05.21.15
The Dark Side of Chinese Investment in Africa
Sam Pa is a mysterious man, largely unknown to the outside world. Yet Pa, who goes by at least seven different aliases, represents the nefarious side of China’s engagement in Africa. Sam Pa and his associates in the Hong Kong-based consortium known...
The China Africa Project
09.16.14
Mugabe Critic: Zimbabwe’s ‘Old Friend’ China is Bleeding it Dry
Harare-based economist and columnist Vince Musewe doesn’t mince words in his criticism of Zimbabwe’s growing financial dependence. Beijing is “bleeding Zimbabwe dry” through loans and Musewe says enough is enough. He is calling on Robert Mugabe’s...