Answer
The support of Mobutu by Mao Zedong, the leader of China, was a significant development in the geopolitical dynamics of the time. China, under Mao's leadership, sought to expand its influence in Africa and viewed Mobutu as a strategic ally in promoting its political and economic interests on the continent. This support bolstered Mobutu's position and provided him with crucial backing during a period of regional and international challenges.