China indicates no change to Zimbabwe policy

Reports of a press conference in China between American and Chinese diplomats reveal China has no interest in changing their views toward Mugabe's government.

Matthew Lee, of the Associated Press, reports on June 29th, that

"After talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that also covered Taiwan, Tibet and North Korea, China's foreign minister said Beijing favors negotiations between Mugabe, who was sworn in for a new term Sunday, and the
opposition.

'The most pressing path is to stabilize the situation in Zimbabwe,' Yang Jiechi told reporters at a news conference with Rice. 'We hope the parties
concerned can engage in serious dialogue to find a proper solution.'

'China hopes the international community, African countries in particular, can a play a more constructive role in this regard,' he said. 'China
as a responsible country will also play a constructive role in this
process.'

After his swearing-in, Mugabe promised talks with the opposition. Yang stuck to a position that China, one of Zimbabwe's chief friends and trading partners, long has held. But his comments came just after
Rice had spent a significant amount of time making the case for the Bush
administration's new push to pressure Mugabe, officials said."

Lee also reports that Yang and Rice had a difference of opinion on a possible arms embargo against Zimbabwe:

"Although Yang indicated that Beijing's stance had not changed, Rice said
the U.S. would pursue the matter. She said that conditions in Zimbabwe had
'deteriorated to a grave level' and that 'the sham election there is likely to bring more violence.'

'We believe that it's time for the international community to act more strongly,' Rice said. 'Frankly, it makes sense to deny the government of Zimbabwe the means to use violence against its own people.'

At present, there is no international arms embargo against Zimbabwe.
China is one of its main suppliers of weapons and ammunition, although Yang said a recent shipment had been returned 'at the request of the receiving
party.'

That shipment made headlines this spring when some African countries
refused to allow the freighter to dock at their ports, partly at the urging of the United States and others."

One can only speculate how much more extensive the political violence would have been had the Chinese ship carrying ammunition unloaded its deadly cargo and delivered it to Zimbabwe.

See commentary by Desmond Tutu on the Chinese Arms Shipment and violence in Africa