LONDON-13-09-2024 – ZAMBIA’S High Commission to the United Kingdom Macenje Mazoka says the country is committed to having a beneficial relationships with China and other partners as it navigates through the evolving global economic landscape.

During the Centre for Global Finance – Overseas Development Institute – African Economic Research Consortium (CGF-ODI-AERC) Conference 2024 on China-Africa Economic Interactions: Past, Present and Future at Soas University of London on Thursday, the High Commissioner said Zambia has had a strong relationship with China that dates back to the country’s pre-independence era.

She noted that Chinese investment has been a significant economic driver that had helped transform the Zambian economy.

She noted that the country has experienced significant Chinese involvement across economic sectors since China emerged as a major global player.

“Chinese investment has particularly been transformative in infrastructure development, roads, bridges, airports. Power plants built by Chinese financing have dramatically improved Zambia’s connectivity and energy capacity,” she noted, adding that the country is now having much deeper conversations with China around climate challenges it is grappling with.

High Commissioner Mazoka said Chinese financed infrastructure projects had not only enhanced Zambia’s competitiveness but also created jobs and opportunities for Zambians.

She also noted that the recent Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) had highlighted some shifts in terms of increased Chinese investments in key areas like green energy and digital infrastructure.

She also noted that like western investors, Chinese firms seek returns on their investments.

“However, China’s approach has often been more aligned with our development priorities particularly when it comes to infrastructure. The speed of project implementation and the willingness to take on large-scale projects have also been notable advantages of Chinese investments,” she said.

“That’s why I think you will find when a lot of African countries want big infrastructure problems solved and quickly, they’ll go to China, because the response is quicker.”

High Commissioner Mazoka said sovereign nations should not be held by the old adage of “your friends are my friends and my enemies your enemies”.

She said Zambia recognises the importance of diversifying its economic partnerships and has therefore continued to engage with its traditional western partners, whom she described as “great friends and partners”.

She said Zambia has also continued to engage with multilateral and emerging economies to create a balance and resilient economic strategy.

“It’s really about creating win-win relationships and strategic relationships which actually was the term that President Xi Jinping mentioned,” she said.

Issued by:

Speedwell Mupuchi

First Secretary – Press

Zambia High Commission

London

Email: press@zambiahc.org.uk

            Speedwell.Mupuchi@grz.gov.zm