The Zimbabwe Review: China

Showing posts with label China. Show all posts

The missing links in Zimbabwe’s drive for a successful China-like State capitalism

Feb 14, 2012

by Chido Makunike

Today’s China is perhaps the most successful example of ‘State capitalism.’ There are those who caution that the model is not all it seems, and that it is not sustainable. Even if that were the case, there is no doubt that China has become a dynamic global economic power under a type of controlled free market economy largely run by the State. Why has China’s model of State capitalism worked, while those of countries like Zimbabwe flounder?

Talk of Chinese Yuan reserves causes hysteria in Zimbabwe, but is no big deal in Nigeria

The Chinese are causing consternation all over with their explosive economic growth and rising global influence. In many countries there is heated debate on the pros and cons of unavoidable relations with China. The peculiarities of recent Zimbabwean political and economic history mean that there is an almost emotional hysteria to discussion about various aspects of the country’s strong and growing links with the rising Asian giant, especially amongst critics of the relationship. An example is the frightened resistance to the idea of recognizing China’s growing global economic power and role as increasingly important trade partner of Zimbabwe’s by adopting its Yuan as the reserve currency instead of the US dollar,

In parts of Harare, as elsewhere, a deep fear of the rising Chinese

Jan 31, 2012

The intricacies of currency are of little interest to most people. Hyperinflation changed much of this for Zimbabweans. Fear of the very idea of a local currency runs deep, and for now, many people are comforted by the country’s use of various foreign currencies, including the US dollar and South African Rand. With the growing economic role of China in Zimbabwe and the world in general, a surprisingly contentious debate about adding the Yuan to the currencies used has arisen. The article ‘To Yuan or Not to Yuan, That Is the Question’ represents a particularly irrational take on the subject.

Zimbabwe, world: start preparing for a Chinese yuan in your future

Dec 15, 2011

With China’s dramatic economic rise and spreading global influence, there are increasing discussions about how its currency, the yuan. will influence world financial markets and trade. In Zimbabwe, where the local currency was abandoned to kill hyperinflation and replaced with a multi-currency regime, proposals by some to add the yuan have been met with surprising heat and emotion.

The pluses and minuses of Zimbabwe's special relationship with China

Nov 19, 2011

Zimbabwe is just one of many African countries whose economic ties to China are booming. But Zimbabwe is different in being one of the few with particularly poor relations with the West. One benefit of this for China is that it does not have to worry about the threat of serious competition from the West for Zimbabwean resources and opportunities. A drawback for Zimbabwe is that it may lose some leverage to negotiate the best deals, even with the Chinese, by being seen to have no other options.

Dalai Lama, Tutu: why are Zuma, South Africa more intimidated by China than Sata, Zambia?

Oct 4, 2011

Tibet's Dalai Lama is not going to attend his pal South African Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday after all this week. After waiting for months with no news on his visa application, he saved a tiny bit of his pride by announcing that he was calling off his visit, several days after he would have begun it. China's strong disapproval of such a visit was expected, but what is surprising is the apparent weakness of the South African government to stave off foreign pressure. This seems even more apparent in light of recently elected Zambian president Michael Sata being willing to criticize Chinese business practices in his country despite its heavy reliance on Chinese investment. Where is South Africa's foreign policy backbone?

The dangers of characterizing Zambia's election in Zimbabwean political terms

Sep 25, 2011

With the election of Michael Sata as president, Zambia continues to entrench its democratic tradition. It is impossible to ignore the contrast with the slow, reluctant moves towards a free system of elections and routine power transfer in Zimbabwe.

The Kimberley Process, Marange diamonds and China's exploding jewelry market

Jul 25, 2011

As with so many other developments all over the world, the explosive economic rise of China is changing everybody's calculations about seemingly everything. As the Western members of the Kimberley Process continue their fight with the Zimbabwean government about the certification of Marange diamonds, growing prosperity and consumerism in China may mean a further weakening of the KP's influence over the Mugabe government.

Gleeful western charges of Chinese imperialism at play in Zimbabwe

Jul 1, 2011

China's growing role in Africa has allowed some Western commentators to play the new role of being the continent's defenders against the emerging eastern giant's perceived imperialism. Zimbabwe's particular isolation from the west and poor image there make it a convenient example.

Zimbabweans' mixed feelings about growing relation with China

Jun 16, 2011

For the Mugabe government, its relations with China have been a lifeline during its toughest times since coming to power. For ordinary Zimbabweans the close and growing ties with China are a much more mixed blessing.

As West becomes more interventionist in Africa, Zimbabwe moves militarily closer to China

Jun 4, 2011

The Mugabe government has long feared that Britain and its Western allies were working to topple it from power. Opposition parties are often accused of 'working for the imperialists.' There is indeed evidence that Western governments have been supporting some opposition parties with funds and other kinds of support. President Mugabe has been vocal in insisting on the country's 'sovereignty' and right to chart its on course without foreign interference, and has often accused Western countries of wishing to engineer 'regime change' against his government.

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