China May Give Up Attempt to Send Arms to Zimbabwe

Trade may seem like a neutral affair, but certain products – like arms – can raise alarms. A South African high court has barred the shipment of arms to Zimbabwe, with the latter divided over recent election results. South African leaders expressed concern that the arms could be used against the opposition party that, by some reports, won the election, write Celia Dugger and David Barboza for the New York Times. The election results have not been released, and analysts suspect that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe wants to retain power. The Chinese trade representatives described the arms shipment as “normal military trade” and asked other nations not to “politicize” it, but also suggested that the ship may return to China. “Shipping arms to Zimbabwe could further complicate China’s efforts to avoid harsh international criticism before it hosts the Olympics this summer,” write Dugger and Barboza. “At the same time China is trying to win allies in Africa, a source of natural resources it needs to fuel its economic boom.” A bloc of 14 southern African nations, the South African Development Community, argues that China could play a more constructive role – negotiating peace – in the region. Selling arms to an African nation in political transition is not a neighborly gesture. – YaleGlobal