China toasts HH victory

Ms Xian, who was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing, among other delegates, said she also visited Zambia’s late first President Kenneth Kaunda’s former residence in Lusaka’s Chilenje area and the Lusaka National Museum to appreciate the history of the China-Zambia friendship.

“Your inauguration ceremony Mr President was held in the national heroes’ stadium which is a symbol of our friendship just like the TAZARA. The Lusaka museum was built by Chinese Enterprises. China will continue to support Zambia in many areas of our mutual cooperation,” Ms Xian said.

She, who had attended President Hichilema’s inauguration on Tuesday, also hailed the continued high-level visits between the two countries, including that of Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Zambia last November.

President Hichilema called for the acceleration of the TAZARA revitalisation project, which is among the key features of the new cooperative partnership between two friendly countries.

He said he was also happy that Zambia and China had established cooperation in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar energy development.

President Hichilema said the TAZARA revitalisation project was among the areas of cooperation discussed between him and President Xi on his State visit to China in 2023.

“The TAZARA is part of the culmination of what we discussed with President Xi during our State visit to China in 2023 and we would like to see more traction on the project in terms of it being accelerated and expedited. Yes, a lot of work has been done but we can certainly do more,” the President said.

The President also said Zambia valued China’s cooperation in the mining sector where investors such as CNMC were expanding operations in the country.

President Hichilema also sent greetings to President Xi through Ms Xian, saying he and his counterpart were following through the tone set for bilateral cooperation between the two countries by Zambia’s founding President Kenneth Kaunda and Chinese founder Chairman Mao Zedong.

Later, in a post on his Facebook page after the meeting, President Hichilema said through the recently enhanced cooperation, trade between Zambia and China had grown, with exports to that country doubling over the past five years to a record US$4.2 billion.