China and Zambia say they will deepen their long-standing friendship and expand cooperation.
The announcement follows talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu in Beijing.
Before sitting down for talks on Monday, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony for President Lungu of Zambia.
Both leaders reviewed a guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
During their meeting, Xi Jinping called on the two countries to increase experience sharing on national governance and to deepen cooperation in areas including infrastructure construction, mining, agriculture, processing manufacturing, investment and trade.
Lungu thanked China for its assistance to his country, expressing hope that the two countries can further strengthen cooperation in more areas.
Speaking during a meeting with China Henan International Group Company Limited (CHICO) vice-president Zhang Chengping here yesterday, Mr Lungu said Zambia’s approach will now be that of partnerships.
“We would like you to take on board Zambian contractors as we engage in projects in the country…there has been a cry by Zambians that they are not benefiting as much from the opening business opportunities which are coming with infrastructure development in the country.
“ I think we can get over this by you being the pacesetters or the pioneers of engaging Zambian enterprise as partners in working together in whatever contracts that are available in infrastructure development like roads, schools, hospitals and water works,” President Lungu said.
Zambia President Edgar Lungu in China
Lungu is in China for a state visit at the invitation of Xi Jinping.
He arrived in Beijing after attending the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan province
