U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

U.S. Department of State

Recent Events in Zimbabwe

James McGee, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe
Conference call regarding recent events in Zimbabwe
Washington, DC
June 13, 2008

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QUESTION: Hello, Ambassador. Paul Eckhart from Reuters. Your colleagues in the capitol from China, the Chinese Embassy -- China is of course a well-known backer of the regime and not long ago was found to be trying to ship weapons to the government during the earlier phase in this crisis. I wonder, do -- are you -- do you stay in touch with them? What sort of profile do they take in this situation? They are also an important economic supporter of Mugabe.

AMBASSADOR MCGEE: The Chinese have a fairly large embassy here, but they keep an exceptionally low profile. I've met the Chinese Ambassador on a couple of social occasions. I paid a courtesy call on him when I first arrived here. But you rarely, rarely ever see the Chinese out -- or the Embassy, the Chinese Embassy out and about town here.

We do have reports that China is aiding ZANU-PF in the conduct of this election. That's unconfirmed right now, but it would not be too surprising. China has an extremely, extremely close relationship with this government. There have been quite a few programs going. Mr. Mugabe has started a "Look East" policy for Zimbabwe. And much of the mining resources have been committed to China here in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe still has very active platinum mines. Their tobacco crop, a large portion of the tobacco crop, which is still very, very vibrant here in Zimbabwe, is going to China.

So there's quite a bit of business back and forth between China and Zimbabwe. And again, there's a large Chinese mission here, but very, very little contact with them and very, very little sight of them out and about in the capital of Harare.

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