By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored the importance of implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 10-point partnership action plan with Africa.
President Hichilema made these remarks during a meeting with a Chinese delegation led by Liu Jiachao, Minister of the International Department and a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
In an official statement on his Facebook page on Friday, President Hichilema reiterated Zambia’s gratitude to China for its support in Zambia’s debt restructuring efforts under the G20 framework.
“We also thanked the delegation, on behalf of the people of Zambia, for China’s continued support towards infrastructure development,” he stated.
President Hichilema highlighted the significance of the concession agreement for the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, noting that it would enhance trade in Zambia and across the region.
As the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Hichilema reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the partnership with the Communist Party of China, expressing hope for continued collaboration.
Addressing the drought situation, President Hichilema acknowledged that it has exposed Zambia’s vulnerabilities, particularly in energy and food security sectors.
He described the current phase as challenging but emphasized the government’s resolve to overcome it, reminding citizens that no situation is permanent.
“The current energy deficit is totally unacceptable, and we should agree as a country that we went to sleep on this situation. It’s time we joined hands in resolving it permanently,” he said.
President Hichilema also expressed gratitude to Zambians for their patience as the government works on implementing both short and long-term solutions.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged nearly US$51 billion in financial support to Africa over the next three years, aiming to bolster cooperation in infrastructure, industry, agriculture, trade, and investment.
The announcement was made on Thursday during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing, where Xi emphasized China’s integral role in Africa’s modernization.
He stated that global modernization would be incomplete without the development of China and Africa.
The US$51 billion commitment includes 360 billion yuan in financial assistance, with 210 billion yuan allocated through credit lines and 70 billion yuan in fresh investments by Chinese companies.
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The funding package is designed to address Africa’s debt challenges and stimulate economic growth, while also promoting the broader use of the Chinese yuan in financial transactions as part of China’s efforts to internationalize its currency.
Xi highlighted China’s readiness to expand infrastructure cooperation, announcing plans to undertake 30 infrastructure connectivity projects and 30 clean energy initiatives across Africa.
He also encouraged Chinese contractors to return to the continent as COVID-19 restrictions had eased. Although Xi did not directly address Africa’s debt, the summit’s action plan included measures for repayment postponements and proposed the establishment of an African rating agency.
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