Zambians to Reap Benefits from President Hichilema’s Visit to China

President Hakainde Hichilema’s official visit to the People’s Republic of China from 31^st August to 7^th September, 2024 will bring about enormous benefits to Zambian people owing to the agreements signed with leading institutions and the decisions reached in key sectors including energy and infrastructure.

The President, who was in China to attend the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit from 4^th to 6^th September, 2024, held bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping of China, on further strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between Zambia and China.  President Hichilema, President Xi and President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania later witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the China Railway Construction Limited for the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). This is crucial to Zambia as the railway line is not only a testament of the enduring traditional relations with China but an important project in fostering regional connectivity and promoting trade in southern Africa. The 1,860-kilometre railway line, constructed by China, became operational in 1976, and links Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania with Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia.

Prior to and during the FOCAC Summit, President Hichilema held meetings with high-level Government officials in strategic sectors aimed at creating valuable partnerships and unlocking opportunities for investment. The President visited Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region and Xi’an city in Shaanxi Province where he held discussions and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zesco and TBEA co. Ltd, a diversified company with interests in energy, electrical equipment and new energy industries. The President met with LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd, one of China’s leading solar companies and major players in the energy sector.  

This also includes the crucial meeting with Power China, a state owned enterprise specialized in engineering and project management in the energy sector. President Hichilema underscored the need to find sustainable solutions to avert the negative impacts of the energy insecurity that Zambia is currently facing. During the meeting with Power China, three agreements aimed at diversifying and addressing the country’s energy deficit were signed with Zesco. These include a framework cooperation agreement for the supply, delivery and installation of rooftop solar system projects in Zambia; the Engineering, Procurement and Construction agreement for Kariba North Solar Photovoltaic (PV), and an agreement for Kafue Gorge Lower Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Zambia.

President Hichilema also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zesco and China Datang Corporation Limited, for the joint development of three PV projects including 100 MW Itezhi Tezhi and 50 MW Choma projects. China Datang Corporation Limited offers a wide range of energy sources that will help Zambia to diversify its energy mix, shifting away from the heavy reliance on hydro-electric power.

The developments form part of the comprehensive measures being employed by the Government, under the stewardship of President Hichilema, to ensure provision of sustainable energy for the people and in the long term address the country’s energy deficit.

During the President’s visit, other Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the Zambia Minerals Investment Corporation Limited and African Jiante Energy Mining Company Limited; the Protocol on Phytosanitary Regulations to enable Export of Soya Bean Grain by Zambian Farmers to China with the Ministry of Agriculture; Memorandum of Understanding Between Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Company Limited (XCMG) and Zambia Development Agency; Memorandum of Understanding between the National Institute of Public Administration and LONGi Solar Technology Co. Ltd and Sino Green Technology Co. Ltd.

In addition, the Zambia Development Agency facilitated the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Shandong Zhongyang Industrial Group Company Limited and Golden Baobab Investment Zambia Group to invest in thermal power in Maamba; Chenzhou Hengsheng Electric Power Engineering Company Limited and Energypool Resources Ltd of Zambia on solar power investment, and Langlong Heavy Machinery Company Limited and Golden Baobab Investment Limited on investment in manufacturing heavy duty trucks.

As part of the engagements, President Hichilema visited the Western Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a laboratory of cotton bio breeding and test fields in China’s North Western Region. The President also engaged with high-level Government officials and regional leaders of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China.

The FOCAC Summit was convened under the theme: “Joining Forces to Promote Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community of a Shared Future”. The Summit formulated a blueprint for future cooperation as China announced 10 partnership actions in areas such as mutual learning among civilisations; trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation and connectivity for advancement over the next three years. China pledged 360 billion yuan (about 51 billion US dollars) of financial support for implementation of the partnership actions. Zambia stands to benefit from these areas of partnership with China as the country implements its Economic Transformation Agenda anchored on peace, security and stability.