(CNN) -- Shunned by Western investors, economically ravaged Zimbabwe has turned its sights to the East to improve its finances.
International isolation and a bad credit record have forced Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe to seek economic support from China, the world's second-largest economy.
Since 2002, the European Union and the United States have imposed sanctions on the mineral-rich southern African country amid reports of human rights abuses, political violence and the controversial land reform policy targeting white farmers.
China has moved to occupy some of the void created by the exodus of Western businesses and now Zimbabwe's once-empty stores are filled with Chinese products.
"We are happy to have these people coming to Zimbabwe opening factories and shops, because when you compare to last time, there were more unemployed youths," says Never Jacob, a Zimbabwean store manager.
"For me, I can say (of) the coming of Chinese to Zimbabwe, we appreciate their coming," he adds.
China has been doing business with Zimbabwe for years -- Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi has said in the past that the two economies "are cut out for each other."
Read more at CNN
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