24 April 2008
The Chinese ship carrying a controversial consignment of weapons for Zimbabwe is being recalled and the arms will no longer be delivered.
News agencies reported today that this was confirmed at a news conference in Beijing by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Jiang Yu.
Reuters reported her as saying: "To my knowledge, the Chinese company has decided to recall the ship and the relevant goods bound for Zimbabwe." The vessel carrying the weapons, the An Yue Jiang, is operated by the state-owned China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO).
Earlier this week, Jiang said COSCO was considering returning the consignment "since the Zimbabwe side could not receive the goods as scheduled." The weapons were scheduled to be offloaded at the South African port of Durban and transported overland to landlocked Zimbabwe. However, a Durban court prohibited the shipment from being landed, and dockers said they would refuse to handle it.
The ship was last reported as being off the south-west coast of Africa, headed for Angola.
A transcript of Jiang's daily news briefing on the Chinese foreign ministry website records that she said on Tuesday that COSCO was contracted to deliver the weapons by another Chinese company. The consignment was "part of the normal arms trade between China and Zimbabwe," she said. "The relevant contract was signed last year and has nothing to do with the latest developments inside Zimbabwe."
She added: "I'd like to stress that the Chinese Government always adopts a prudent and responsible attitude towards arms export and one of the important principles it adheres to is non-interference in the internal affairs of recipient countries."
Jiang was asked on Tuesday about Chinese soldiers seen on the streets of Zimbabwe. She said that "several Chinese professors are teaching at Zimbabwean military schools. What you mentioned might be some teaching activities conducted by the schools."
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Whatever war “British Europe” and its surrogates are fighting in Zimbabwe will not come to see a light of victory. Weapons can be delivered airborne, it is essential to recall the ship without canceling the order and stop the madness of such silly individuals hiding under well meaning organisations. Zimbabwe is not at war apart from idiotic mantra from financially and favorably oiled british puppets masquerading as non governmental organisations. The message is clear from Chinese foreign office that military professors are in Zimbabwe training local forces. If Zimbabwe unleash terror against its people then SADC, AU, UN are extremely… [Read Full Text]
What a load of nonsence. You claim Zimbabweans are so educated and literate yet all you need to do is take one look at the state of the country to realise what that the current Zimbabwean government has absolutely no idea how to govern. You cant blame western sanctions targeting the travel of Mugabe government officials for bringing down the Zim economy.
And the whole reason the arms shipment from China was stopped has nothing to do with "British Europe". They just commented on it. The PEOPLE of South Africa, the dock workers and transport unions refused to unload the… [Read Full Text]
onesoulzim, I am from the U.S. and I am with you! Our countries have been hijacked by thieves who thrive on the blood of the innocent. The people are not stupid and are standing up against the human rights atrocities that have been occurring in both our nations for far too long. History tells us that we will not allow the "elite" to oppress us. It is time that the plight of the people is recognized.
There is no war that the British are fighting in Zim but its all the old bullshit and mischief dirty brainwork of Mugabe regime who paint a false picture with the saying 'Zimbabwe will never be a colony again' through MDC party by the British.What a heap of crock! They use this gimmick for campaigns against MDC but even the rural people of Zim reject this hype and so this mantra is used as an excuse to buy weapons to prepare for a possibility of a British coup d'etal invasion or appoint Morgan Tsvangirayi as their puppet.This is in the… [Read Full Text]
So you say that "there is no war that the British are fighting in Zim" ??? One VERY HUGE FACTS SEEMS TO ESCAPE YOUR MYOPIC NOTICE--The UK, US, and Europe has DECLARED A FINANCIAL WAR AGAINST ZIM! How? By cutting off the loans and credit lines that they use a carrots to control the economies of Africa. Where have you been? Have you had your head in a hole in the ground and your ass up in the air for the past seven years?
I have news for you who keeps their head in a hole--MOST… [Read Full Text]
What a load of rubbish. So the UK and US have stopped loaning the Zim govt money. Would you keep loaning someone money if they NEVER PAID IT BACK? Even Zambia is refusing to sell fuel to Zim because they never get paid. So howcome you don't declare Zambia as starting a financial war with Zim?
Grow up and face the facts. If you don't you will never get out of the mess you're in.
What's wrong with the Chinese involvement in Africa? They are doing exactly what the Europeans did years ago but in a smart way, "divide to conquer". Fellow Africans wake up! Mugabe has lost touch with reality in his own country. The only people standing up for the people of Zimbabwe are the non-African governments like the US and UK. Shame on the SADCC! How can you let that happen right at your doorstep?
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Arms ordered last year! Last year is only a short while ago when planning for this contested election was already in advanced stage. How do we know that the arms order was not part of a contingency plan for 'in-case-we-need-it' scenario as is the case now? Can China show the concerned world the relevant documents to attest to its assertion? Violent suppression of its citizens' rights of all forms is China's cup of tea and if any other government should wish to do the same to its own citizens is perfectly acceptable to China. And since China is so desperate… [Read Full Text]