China warns Zimbabwe over mine grabs?

China yesterday warned Zimbabwe to beware after President Robert Mugabe's government ill-advisedly moved to seize all diamond mining claims in Chiadzwa last week, including those in which Chinese companies have interests, the Daily News reported.

At the same, the High Court temporarily chucked police out of Mbada Diamonds Chiadzwa operations yesterday after share holder Grandwell Holdings a subsidiary of South African conglomerate, The New Reclammation Group sought legal recourse over the government's controversial move.
 
Meanwhile, the Herald reports that the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Huang Ping has said China respects the Government's decision to cease operations of companies that were mining diamonds in Chiadzwa and has no problem with actions being executed within the confines of the law.

Ambassador Huang said small differences would not affect the bond between China and Zimbabwe. If differences were to exist, the envoy said, they would be resolved in a progressive manner that does not affect agreed projects.

This comes after Government ordered firms mining in Chiadzwa to cease operations and vacate the area within three months. The firms, which include Mbada Diamonds, Diamond Mining Company, Jinan and Anjin, had not renewed their licences as stipulated by the Mines and Minerals Act.