Zimbabwe looks to China for strategic partnership

ZIMBABWE'S military wants to forge a new "strategic partnership" with China, an increasingly important ally as Robert Mugabe's government fights international isolation, an official newspaper said yesterday.

Mr Mugabe, 82, is seeking friends in Asia under an economic and diplomatic drive called the "Look East Policy", developed after the West accused his government of human rights abuses.

Analysts say Zimbabwe plays an important role in China's strategic plans to increase access to African oil and other raw materials.

The state-run Herald newspaper said Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander General Constantine Chiwenga told a group of Chinese military visitors Zimbabwe's army had benefited greatly from Chinese aid. "The ZDF have pledged to further establish and develop a new type of strategic partnership with China, featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win co-operation and cultural and technological exchange."