Honorable Ms. Dora Siliya, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services,

Mr. Zhang Maoyu, Vice Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency,

Mr. Chanda Kasolo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services,

Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, Senior Chieftainess of Chongwe,

Ms. Guo Ziqi, Vice President of StarTimes Group,

Teachers and Students of theChainda School,

Distinguished Guests,

Friends from the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

Please allow me to extend my congratulations on the successful completion and handover of the China-aided Access to Satellite TV Project in Zambia! This project that we are witnessing its completion today, plays an important part in the China-Africa people-to-people cooperation plan, which was announced by the Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) Johannesburg Summit. The successful completion of the Project is not only a reflection of the traditional friendship between China and Zambia, but also another fruitful achievement of the FOCAC which has benefited the Zambian people. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my warm congratulations on the successful completion and handover of this Project and extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of China and Zambia who have made contributions to the Project.

Zambia is one of the first 30 countries in Africa under the China-aided Access to Satellite TV Project. A total of 500 villages from all 10 provinces of Zambia were selected for implementation, benefiting 1,500 public areas and 10,000 households. The construction of the Project includes installation of a free solar projection TV system and a solar digital TV integrated terminal in the public area of each village, as well as installation of free satellite TV set-top box receiving systems for 20 families with TV sets. The successful implementation of the Project opens a window for various Zambian rural families to obtain information from the outside world. Through satellite TV, villagers have learned and mastered knowledge and skills in agriculture, science and technology, health and other sectors, which help them reduce poverty and promote economic development. At the same time, the Project has created a large number of employment opportunities. StarTimes, the contractor of the Project, has trained 1,100 local people to provide follow-up technical support and services, in order to ensure a long-term stable operation of the Project. Indirect jobs created by the Project are also numerous. In addition, the Project strongly promotes Zambian digital TV development, facilitates the transfer of local TV signal transmission from analog to digital, expands the coverage and influence of local TV programs, and helps narrow the information gap between Zambia and other developed regions.

According to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the relationship between countries lies in the friendship between their peoples. Zambia is the first country in southern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Our two countries enjoy a time-honored and ever closer friendship. A number of key projects of practical cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, livelihood and manufacturing have made remarkable progress, which provides strong support to Zambia's industrialization and its 7th National Development Plan. At the end of last month, China-Africa Think Tank Forum co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and PMRC was held successfully in Lusaka. At the end of this month, the Coordinators Conference on the implementation of the outcomes of FOCAC Beijing Summit will be held in Beijing to follow up with the Eight Major Initiatives. Zambia is going to send a high-level delegation to attend. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Zambian government and Zambian people, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services in particular, for the long-term support to consolidating and developing China-Zambia friendship.

In addition, I would like thank StarTimes, the contractor of the Project, which is one of the most influential system integrator, technology provider, network operator and content provider in the Chinese broadcasting and TV industry. It is my hope that Chinese enterprises in Zambia, including StarTimes, will continue to make greater contributions to the development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Zambia.

Thank you!