ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the Zimbabwe–China relationship and enquires the degree to which it meets the criteria of a so-called ‘all-weather’ relationship for stability and development. Building on foundations of stability forged during the liberation struggle, the two countries rediscovered the imperative for close political and economic cooperation in the post-2000 period. The new circumstances of enhanced cooperation were dictated by Western ‘targeted’ sanctions against the Mugabe government for bad governance between 2000 and 2008, and Chinese growing appetite for natural resources and markets. Although the returns are high, the risks of investing in Zimbabwe are also considerable. If economic and political stability decline due to unsustainable debt levels and renewed political factionalism respectively, the bilateral relations would be severely tested.
