NO CONDITIONS ON ZAMBIA’S DEBT RESTRUCTURING - CHINESE ENVOY

CHINESE ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui says China will not impose any conditions on Zambia as the Asian country deals with the negotiations for debt restructuring.

Mr Du said China would stick to the same principle when dealing with other difficult issues in future.

The Chinese envoy said as a co-chair of the creditors committee for Zambia, China was coordinating efforts from all sides to actively participate in Zambia’s debt talks in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.

Mr Du has pledged China’s continued support to Zambia in independently choosing a development path that suited the country’s conditions, pledging never to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

He said the Chinese people have always been sharing weal th and woes with the African people, with consistent respect and support for the continent.

“China always treats all countries as equals whether they are big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor,” said Mr Du

He was speaking during the awarding ceremony for the essay competition organised by the Zambia China Friendship Association (ZCFA)

And ZCFA Secretary General Frederick Mutesa said the overwhelming response from the essay competition showed that many young people in Zambia know and are aware of the massive and important contribution of China to Zambia’s economic development.

“We had a very difficult time selecting the winners because all the essays were of very high quality and spoke competently and factually to the theme of the competition,” said Dr Mutesa

Dr Mutesa added that ZCFA looks forwards to the embassy of China’s continued support to the work of strengthening people to people ties between the two countries.