By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed the government’s intent to partner with Chinese firm TBEA Group, which offers a diversified energy mix, to tackle Zambia’s ongoing energy deficit.
During his visit to China, President Hichilema toured TBEA Group, a leading high-tech enterprise and energy equipment manufacturer, as part of efforts to resolve the energy crisis exacerbated by drought.
Posting on his official Facebook page on Sunday, President Hichilema emphasized the urgent need for practical solutions to the country’s energy shortfall.
“Given the effects of climate change, we can no longer rely solely on hydroelectricity. As we have repeatedly stated, we can’t grow our economy with the current energy deficit and load management,” he said.
He added that the Zambian government, through the Ministry of Energy, would meet with TBEA to finalize partnership modalities before concluding the visit.
Earlier, President Hichilema began his engagements in China with a visit to the Western Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which specializes in cotton bio-breeding and test fields in China’s northwestern region.
“Our government remains committed to repositioning the agriculture sector by adopting modern technologies to enhance production and income for our farmers,” he said.
He noted that since assuming office, the UPND government has implemented agricultural policy reforms aimed at boosting mechanization for increased crop production, especially in light of climate change challenges.
Specifically, with the scheduled reopening of Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, President Hichilema highlighted the need to learn from China on growing early-maturing cotton varieties suitable for drought conditions.
He reassured that the government remains dedicated to improving the living standards of the Zambian people through enhanced development initiatives.
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Concluding his work, President Hichilema held an engagement meeting with Xinjiang Uyghur regional leaders of the Political Bureau for the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Secretary Ma Xingrui.
“We thanked President Xi Jinping and the great people of China for their friendship and support to Zambia over the past 60 years,” he wrote.
President Hichilema acknowledged that the founding leaders of the two countries, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Chairman Mao, laid a solid foundation for sustained bilateral relations that continue to benefit their peoples.
He noted Zambia’s indebtedness to China for the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), which continues to facilitate trade beyond the country’s borders.
President Hichilema also urged CPC leadership to encourage Chinese nationals to invest in various sectors of the Zambian economy, highlighting the additional scholarships offered to Zambian students for studies in China.
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