Robert Mugabe [Xinhua]

The ruling Zanu-PF of Zimbabwe has voted to reject and sack Robert Mugabe as the leader of the party and as the president of Zimbabwe, replacing him with his earlier-dismissed vice president.

The vote took place as Mugabe refused to accept the tumultuous events of last week by stepping down as the leader of the country he ruled for 37 years. This comes after thousands of Zimbabweans of every age class came out on the streets chanting and singing, to make their feelings clear.

Even Zanu-PF veterans, who followed Mugabe in ending colonial rule in Rhodesia and creating an independent Zimbabwe, were marching, with lots of banners speaking of the need for change.

The bloodless "change" -- if we can call it that -- in Zimbabwe is unique, given that the region is not known for peaceful change of administration. The marches erupted after Mugabe came out nonchalantly to a ceremony as if nothing had happened, ignoring the strong political and military factions who clearly wanted change.

The parliament is reconvening this Tuesday, and is expected to impeach the president if he doesn't voluntarily give up his power. It also removed Mugabe's wife, and the party's women's league leader Grace Mugabe, who was undoubtedly the most divisive factor leading to this situation.

The top U.S. State Department official for African relations stated where its hopes lay. While maintaining that the situation remained fluid, he said the U.S. is hoping for long-term change. "It's a transition to a new era for Zimbabwe, that's really what we’re hoping for," said Donald Yamamoto, according to Reuters.

The Chinese stance has been similar, "As a country that is friendly with Zimbabwe, we are paying close attention to developments [there]," said spokesperson Geng Shuang, adding that, "Maintaining peaceful and stable development accords with the fundamental interests of Zimbabwe and regional countries, and is the common desire of the international community. We hope the relevant parties in Zimbabwe appropriately handle their internal matters."

The international community must make sure that the situation stays bloodless and that the routine of state affairs, including trade, should not be disturbed by political upheavals. Consider these facts: China has recently been the recipient of 54 percent of Zimbabwe's tobacco exports. Chinese mining interests in Zimbabwe started in 2003, with $300 million investment in its iron, steel, chrome and platinum fields. Currently South Africa ($2bn), China ($387mn) and India ($116mn), three of the BRICS countries, are the current top export destinations for Zimbabwe.

Trade with China was cemented after 2000, with the establishment of FOCAC, as China started foraying in Africa and seeking expanded economic ties. Within the FOCAC framework to institutionalize wider diplomatic links, develop credit facilities and loans as well as initiating investment projects, Zimbabwe has done well.

The diplomatic principle between China and Zimbabwe has been one of non-interference in the domestic arena, which goes with the longstanding Chinese grand strategy. During the creation of China's Anti-Secession Law in 2005, the Zimbabwean government declared:"We in Zimbabwe fully support the decision to adopt the Anti-Secession Law, which first upholds China's basic policy of peaceful reunification and regards the non-peaceful means only as the last resort to stop Taiwan’s independence."

China has also been a major contributor to medical care in Zimbabwe. What started in 1983, with Hunan Province sending aid to Zimbabwe, increased between 1985 to 2013, with 13 medical teams, and 127 doctors and nurses.

In infrastructure and construction, China pledged US$46 million to build the parliament building, and also invested $1.2 billion for development of power stations and a national grid. Finally. Chinese investment also built the first national defense academy for Zimbabwe.

This is of course an interesting time for the country, and also very volatile. The key is to maintain stability, as any violence will have a domino effect in Southern Africa, and will have repercussions in other parts of the world, such as Venezuela for example. The last thing we want is a civil war in the imperfect, but comparatively stable southernmost parts of Africa.

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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