Honourable Dr.Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning,

Mr. Stephen Mwansa, Permanent secretary of the Vice President's Office,

Mr. Joshua Kamanya, National Coordinator of DMMU,

Distinguished Guests,

Friends from the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It is a great pleasure for me to attend today's handover ceremony of Humanitarian Food aid. As a friendly gesture, the Chinese Government has donated a total amount of 3,099 tons of maize to Zambia, which have all arrived in Lusaka. On behalf of the Chinese government, I would like to formally hand over the donated food to the Zambia government for distribution to the most needed people. This project has been competed as a team work between our embassy and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Office (DMMU), and related ministries and agencies. Please allow me also to extend our appreciation for the coordination and support you have rendered to us.

Ladies and Gentlemen，

Agriculture and food security have always been the top priority of the Chinese government. In recent years, global climate change has led to frequent extreme weather, and Zambia has suffered extreme climate disasters such as flood and drought. Since 2018, Zambia has experienced a severe drought that is rare in a century. The water level of the famous Victoria Falls has dropped to a low point, the production of staple food has decreased, clean water resources are in short supply. In addition, the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has caused a large number of people at the risk of food shortages and infectious diseases.

As an all-weather friend, China understands the need and generously responded to the demands of Zambia, and quickly made a decision to provide humanitarian emergency food aid. It is a friendly gesture to support the Zambian government and its  people to cope with food crisis brought by extreme climate change. It is a key project for China and Zambia to implement the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eight Major Initiatives of the FOCAC Beijing Summit. It is also in line with Zambia's aspiration for poverty reduction and fully demonstrates the deep friendship between our two countries.

It is happy to note that the drought situation in Zambia has eased a lot in the past two years. The maize production in 2019/2020 season had increased by 69% to 3.4 million tonnes from 2 million tonnes. During the farming season, there is plenty of rain, the farmers are welcoming a bumper harvest. When I travel to various places in Zambia, I can see the crops growing very well. I am really delighted and gratified from the bottom of my heart. Still, there are places and people in the country that are earnestly expecting food aid. It is my belief that the Chinese food aid will help these people to over come temporary difficulties and prepare for the start of a new life.

Ladies and Gentlemen，

President Xi Jinping of China said that amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. As the first country in southern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China, our two countries enjoy a profound friendship. This October has not only witnessed the 57th anniversary of Zambia's independence, but also the 57th  anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia. We have always treated and respected each other as equals with sincerity and friendship.

In recent years, China-Zambia relations have shown a good momentum of development and produced fruitful results. This year alone, the new terminal at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport and two generators of Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station were commissioned. At the same time, a large number of key pragmatic cooperation projects in the fields of energy, medical care, people's livelihood and manufacturing have also made positive progress. Among them, the China-aided milling plants will soon be completed and put into operation, which will effectively guarantee food supply and stabilize food prices. Three days ago, I attended the ground breaking ceremony for the United Capital Fertilizer Company Limited together with her honor vice president Nalumango. Investment from China is growing steadily.

Ladies and gentlemen, right now, COVID-19 is still raging in the world, and China stands for efforts to make vaccines a global public good. China has decided to provide another 1 million doses of sino pharm vaccines to Zambia for its efforts of prevention and control of the pandemic. As the Zambian government has relaunched the vaccination campaign, the Chinese gesture of support is coming at a very proper time.

Ladies and Gentlemen，

Zambia is very rich in natural resources and has great potentiality for development. Under the strong leadership of H.E. President Hakeinde Hichilema, Zambia will maintain national unity and stability, focus on economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood, and continue to make new progress on the road of national development.

As the world's largest developing country, China will always be Zambia's sincere friend and reliable partner. I am confident that China-Zambia practical cooperation in various fields, including food security, will be pushed to a new height and bring more benefits to our two peoples. China will continue to work with Zambia to deepen solidarity and cooperation, jointly defeat the pandemic, and make new and greater contribution to building a community of health and prosperity for our two countries.