CHINA AND ZIMBABWE, BESTEST BUDS

Birds of a feather ...

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been warmly greeted as “an old friend” on his arrival in Beijing by Chinese President Hu Jintao.

During talks, the two leaders signed agreements covering economic and technical cooperation, including the supply of computer equipment.

China was also expected to seek mineral and other trade concessions in exchange for economic help.

Regarded as a pariah by the West for alleged human rights abuses, Mr Mugabe has sought support from China which has publicly backed Zimbabwe’s demolition program.

China has promised to help Zimbabwe and to not interfere in "internal affairs".
China "trusts Zimbabwe's government and people have the ability to deal properly with their own matters", a foreign ministry statement said.

President Mugabe said “We are very, very happy that we have done this to cement our relations with a great friend, historical friend, brotherly friend and that is the People’s Republic of China.”

China is one of the few countries to embrace the 81 year old autocrat who’s banned from travelling in the US and European Union following allegations of vote rigging and oppressing the opposition.

The ties between China and Mr Mugabe date back to the 1970s war of independence, when fighters from his Zanu party were armed by the Chinese.

China quietly tries to fill the void created by the demise of the Soviet Union. Isn't that al Qaeda's job?