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President Mugabe is in China this week on what has been a hugely successful State visit where he also held high level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jingping and other senior officials. China, friends with Zimbabwe since the days of the liberation struggle in the 1970s, has shown that it is an all weather friend.

While the West demonised Zimbabwe after the land reform programme in 2000 and imposed harmful sanctions which ruined the economy, China stood firm in its support for Zimbabwe.

Sceptics said that all Zimbabwe would get from its relationship with China was political support, nothing more. However, the trip by President Mugabe and his delegation has shown that China is more than a political ally of Zimbabwe.

Reports from China indicate that China will invest billions in infrastructural projects in various sectors. What China has offered to Zimbabwe is akin to the proverbial bottomless pit. There will be no limit to what Chinese companies are prepared to invest in Zimbabwe, all that matters is the viability of those targeted projects and their ability to repay the money.

Years of sanctions have resulted in local infrastructure falling into a state of disrepair. Roads have not been maintained to acceptable standards, while others have outlived their lifespan. Horrific accidents, which have become a regular feature, unnecessarily claiming lives, are being blamed on the state of roads.

Power generation has also failed to keep up with demand. As a result, the country is grappling with power shortages that have led to the introduction of load shedding which has affected essential economic sectors such as mining and manufacturing. Mining companies which seek to avoid load shedding are being made to pay more which also impacts negatively on their viability.

The same goes for our railway infrastructure which is in a sorry state and needs urgent replacement.
Zimbabwe alone cannot meet the cost of revamping its infrastructure, largely due to the huge cost involved and the sanctions imposed by the West.

China’s decision to fund projects such as power projects, road dualisation and railways line construction is set to turn around the economic fortunes of the country. It should also shame detractors who were critical of the government’s Look East policy.
Sound infrastructure is key to economic development as it facilitates the movement of goods and people.

The 600 megawatt thermal power station proposed by the China Africa Sunlight Energy in Gwayi will propel Zimbabwe towards electricity self sufficiency, itself a key step necessary for sustainable economic growth.

The deals between Zimbabwe and China show that relations between the Asian economic giant and Africa are transforming from political to economic. Unlike the West, China is prepared to deal with its African counterparts in an equal and non judgmental relationship whereas the likes of Britain, the USA and their allies think that bringing capital to Africa entitles them to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.

Realising that China was now viewing Africa as economic rather than political partners, America early this month organised the US-Africa Leaders summit, in an attempt to divert the continent’s leaders from dealing with China. Now that politicians have signed lucrative deals with China, bureaucrats must move with speed to ensure that the agreements are turned into reality within a short space of time. Bureaucracy must not be allowed to come in between Zimbabwe and China and turn the agreements into paper deals which will vindicate detractors.

One such deal that easily comes into mind is the selling of Government shares in then Ziscosteel to Essar Holdings. Although there has been political will that Zisco resumes operations, the agreement has not been consummated, four years after its signing.

Nevertheless, Zimbabwean companies must ready themselves to deal with Chinese companies when they eventually come aboard. Those who still prefer dealing with Western companies because of colonial links with Britain risk being left behind as China is now the real thing.