China vows to support Zambia’s independent choice of development path

China has vowed to support Zambia’s independent choice of development path suited to its national conditions.

This is according to a Joint Statement between China and Zambia on Establishing the Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership issued on Friday.

According to the statement, China reaffirmed its relentless support for the Zambian people’s independent choice of development path suited to its national conditions.

It also stated China’s relentless support towards Zambia’s efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty, security and development interests.

“The Chinese side applauded Zambia’s historic political stability and peaceful and friendly relations with countries in the region, and commended its achievements in economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood under President Hichilema’s leadership.

“The Chinese side believes that under President Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia will fully implement the 8th National Development Plan and attain economic transformation in order to deliver a better life for its people,” it stated.

The statement also indicated that the Chinese side recognised that Hichilema would play a bigger and more positive role in safeguarding regional and global peace and development.

In this regard, Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Hichilema and expressed support on his becoming the Chair of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) as well as the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation.

On the Zambian side, the statement stated that it appreciated the Global Development Initiative proposed by Xi, which had steered countries to put development back to the core of the international agenda.

This was believed to have accelerated the implementation of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“The Chinese side welcomed Zambia’s new membership in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, and that the two sides would promote practical cooperation in various fields under the framework of the Global Development Initiative,” according to the statement.

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