Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Friday inaugurated a $98 million Chinese-built military college and claimed the West threatened a "military invasion" during the country's political woes.

The National Defence College "will act as a think-tank" researching on defence and national security issues, he said.

"The National Defence College is set to assume the role of training ... senior Zimbabwe defence forces and government officials on the underpinnings of security in this country, regionally and internationally," said Mugabe.

The college, situated 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the capital, was built by Chinese state firm Anhui Foreign and Economic Construction Company (AFECC) with a $98 million loan from the China Export and Import Bank.

Sanctions imposed on the Zimbabwean leader and his aides along with select institutions in the country "acted as a wake-up call, a warning to us to enhance our security consciousness in order to survive such assaults."

Mugabe said the sanctions were meant to effect regime change through civil disobedience.

"The adverse and rabid effects of globalisation which seek to impose a new world order under the auspicies of neo-liberalism calls us to remain vigilant and alert to the enemy's tactics," he said.

"Indeed, the neo-colonial adventurism went to the extent of seeking military invasion of Zimbabwe."

Mugabe's partner in a shaky power-sharing government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, boycotted the ceremony.

Mugabe, a former darling of the West when he came to power in 1980, praised China for supporting Zimbabwe when it was shunned by its erstwhile allies.

"The Chinese have always been our good friends, having walked with us through thick and thin of our liberation struggle right up to our fight against West-imposed illegal economic sanctions of today," he said.

The veteran leader said China and Pakistan will provide expert training for military personnel from the ranks of colonel. Military officials from selected regional countries will attend courses at the institution.