Foreign Affairs Minister Reaffirms Commitment To Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Stanley Kakubo held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Mr Li Jie, at Charter House.

The meeting, held on Monday, focused on key issues of mutual interest between the Republic of Zambia and the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese Ambassador informed the Minister that China would be donating 3,000 metric tonnes of Maize to Zambia aimed at assisting the vulnerable communities affected by climate change through floods and drought. While the Maize is already in Zambia it is yet to be officially handed over to the Government.

The Ambassador noted the need for Zambia to increase its exports of local products such as honey, strawberries, and copper, adding that China would be happy to explore further areas of cooperation when it can to increasing local exports.

In response, the Minister thanked the People’s Republic of China for the donation of food aimed at helping vulnerable people, acknowledging that the strong relations that exist between Zambia and China.

The Minister emphasised the importance of enhancing trade through diversification and value addition to local products meant for export to China and thanked the People’s Republic of China for the assistance in the construction of the International Conference Centre in Lusaka, which is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2022.

The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties with the People’s Republic of China and that the two countries continue to share excellent bilateral relations.