China pledges to help Mugabe's Zanu-PF win 2018 elections

THE Communist Party of China (CPC) has pledged to help out Zanu-PF with resource mobilisation as well as cadre training in a move largely seen as designed to rescue the ruling party - which has been weakened by years of increasingly vicious succession fights and economic turmoil - win the 2018 general elections, the Independent reported.

China has always supported Zanu-PF since the liberation struggle days in the 1960s and 1970s mainly for its own interest.

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa disclosed the new form cooperation between the two parties in an interview with China Central Television-Africa (CCTV) last week.

The CPC has a close relationship with Zanu-PF dating back to the liberation struggle when the Asian country assisted liberation fighters with training and military equipment. It helped Zanu-PF controversially win the 2013 elections.

Mnangagwa said the latest cooperation between Zimbabwe and China would further strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries.

Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF and the CPC had agreed on exchange programmes both in the women's and youth leagues.

Recently a United States Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organisations, during a hearing on Zimbabwe, expressed concern about allegations China was building a military base in eastern Zimbabwe.

Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi has denied the allegations.