RB hails Chinese cooperation..
By YANDE KAPEYAPRESIDENT Banda says Zambia stands out as the most successful beneficiary of Chinese investment in Africa since the formation of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) Beijing summit in 2006.
Mr Banda said Zambia has enjoyed the full scale of co-operation projects under the framework of Chinese measures to assist African countries.
He said this in a letter read for him by Minister of Defence Kalombo Mwansa at the commemoration of the Chinese Lunar New Year of Tiger in Lusaka yesterday.
President Banda said it is Government’s desire to explore, expand and enhance further co-operation between the two countries to realise the vista opened up by the fourth ministerial conference of FOCAC in Egypt last year.
He said the Zambian Government welcomes and values the presence of the Chinese people and investment in the country.
“Zambia- China relationship characterises its uniqueness as the all-weather friend which has been tested and manifested consistently through the 45 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
“Particularly, last year, during the international financial crisis, the Chinese Government and Chinese companies here stood with us over the difficulties and so this is just one of the representative examples among others,” he said.
Mr Banda said the re-opening of Luanshya’s copper mine by China Non-Ferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC) will not only create employment but also revive Luanshya from a ghost town to a prosperous city.
He said Government and the Zambians will never forget the goodwill, efforts and contribution from the Chinese community for the rehabilitation and sustainable development of the country’s economy.
“In the New Year, I wish to call upon all Chinese friends to continue to stand side by side with the Zambian brothers and sisters, respect each other and learn from one another.
“I would like to reaffirm the continuous solid support from the Zambian Government for genuinely investing, rational working and peaceful living of all Chinese citizens in Zambia,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qianqmin commended Chinese residents in Zambia for their tireless effort in promoting China-Zambia friendship and co-operation.
The Lunar New Year is the traditional spring festival dating from 2600 BC and the calendar is a yearly one with the start of the lunar year being based on the cycles of the moon.
This year, the New Year falls on February 14, when Chinese all over the world will celebrate.
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