WORKING TOGETHER IN TIMES OF CRISIS
…China and Zambia hand in hand in the pursuit of a community with a shared future for mankind
ON January 21, 2024, ten days after the Chinese Embassy in Zambia announced nine assistance measures to help the country fight the ongoing cholera outbreak, a Chinese vaccine company sent a delegation to Lusaka, who one day later had discussions at State House with all relevant authorities over the possibility of cholera vaccine production here in Zambia.
On January 28, the delegation will pay a visit to local pharmaceutical companies. This is another action taken by the Chinese side to effectively and efficiently implement the consensus of the two Heads of State and China’s nine assistance measures.
As cholera continues to ravage the country, the Chinese people share the sorrow of our Zambian brothers and sisters. This is why the Chinese government and people have acted swiftly by mobilising all resources available in the most proactive manner and offering assistance to the best of its abilities.
On January 11, President Hakainde Hichilema and I jointly attended a press conference on China supporting Zambia in the fight against cholera, where I announced nine assistance measures, including official assistance in cash, on-site guidance from Chinese medical experts, construction of a clinic, donation of medical and daily supplies, donation of water tanks, a water supply project and possible cooperation in the production of anti-cholera drugs and vaccines, with a total value of more than K20 million.
Later on, the Association of Chinese Corporations in Zambia, the Zambia Chinese Association and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia organised Chinese nationals and businesses in Zambia to make donations in cash and in kind and worked closely with the government, local communities and people, through actions such as the donation of water tanks with a capacity of 360 tons of clean and safe water per day and medical and daily supplies worth about K7 million.
These have significantly contributed to the local efforts against cholera.
Ten medical experts from the 24th Chinese Medical Team and the 26th Chinese Military Medical Expert Team have entered the National Heroes Stadium Cholera Treatment Centre and are working with their Zambian counterparts to provide health services and assist in the dissemination of cholera prevention and control knowledge.
In the next phase, cooperation in the production of medicines, medical supplies and cholera vaccines and the second phase of the Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project undertaken by a Chinese company will be materialised one by one.
As President Hichilema said, China is a true friend and good brother of Zambia, and China’s support covers short, medium and longterm measures, which will help the country ultimately beat the cholera outbreak.
As we fight shoulder to shoulder against cholera, the joint effort by China and Zambia to search for and rescue seven miners trapped underground in Ndola since January 22 continues.
All of these are just a glimpse into the long history of the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia.
Over these six decades, the two countries have always been trustworthy all-weather friends supporting each other in times of need.
Mutual respect, equality
and common development have always been major principles guiding our relations.
Fifty-four years ago, China selflessly assisted in the construction of TAZARA when it was experiencing huge difficulties at home, in support of Zambia’s national independence and development.
And 53 years ago, Zambia, as one of the co-sponsors of Resolution 2758 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, helped China restore its lawful seat at the UN and resolutely defended the One-China Principle.
Then 46 years ago, the first Chinese Medical Team travelled thousands of kilometres to Zambia. Since then, 993 Chinese medical experts have come to this country to provide health services.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, China donated vaccines and other anti-Covid supplies.
China has been working hard to put into practice the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping.
This vision offers a Chinese solution to what kind of place the world should be and how to realise it. The goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity.
China and Zambia, by supporting each other and joining hands in meeting global challenges in the pursuit
of common prosperity and development in the past 60 years, have made themselves a major force to advocate and execute the vision.
The two Heads of State decided to upgrade China-Zambia relations to a
Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership and designated 2024 as the Year of Business Cooperation as well as the Year of Culture and Tourism.
Embarking on a new journey, I have total confidence
in an even more promising 60 years of China-Zambia relations under the guidance of the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.