Honorable Ms. Joyce Nonde-Simukoko, Minister of Labour and Social Security,

Permanent Secretaries present,

Representatives of the Association of Chinese Corporation in Zambia,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon!

First of all, please allow me to extend my warm congratulations and high respect to the 30 excellent Zambian employees who are awarded today. They are outstanding representatives of the Zambia working force. All of them have something in common. They have demonstrated excellent performances in their duties and they work in Chinese companies in Zambia. In recent years we are seeing a growing number of Chinese companies and they are playing a very important role in the economic and trade relationship between China and Zambia. Over the past year, bilateral economic and trade exchanges have developed rapidly. In 2018, the bilateral trade volume between China and Zambia reached 5 billion US dollars for the first time, with a year-on-year growth of 33.9%. China's direct investment in Zambia maintained a constant growth with an increase of 327 million US dollars, ranking the second among African countries. China's investment stock in Zambia has reached 4 billion US dollars. The flourish of Chinese companies in Zambia has promoted economic and social progress, and has become an example of mutually beneficial cooperation and common development between China and Zambia. The accomplishments of Chinese companies in Zambia cannot be achieved without the supports from the Zambian government and people, as well as Zambia's improving business environment. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Zambian government for its long-term support to the Chinese corporations in Zambia, and to the Zambian people for their friendly assistance to the Chinese people working and living in Zambia.

Chinese corporations in Zambia have enjoyed rapidly increasing number, continuously expanding scale, gradually broadening business area, and ever-improving performance. At present, Chinese corporations in Zambia have become an important driving force for economic and social development of Zambia and economic and trade exchanges between our two countries. Among all the Chinese corporations in Zambia, members of ACCZ play an especially crucial role. Since its establishment, ACCZ has always devoted itself to enhancing exchanges and solidarity among Chinese corporations, assisting them in external communication, solving difficulties for corporations and safeguarding their interests. It has made important contributions to promoting the growth of Chinese corporations in Zambia, actively fulfilling Corporate Social Responsibilities and facilitating the development of China-Zambia economic and trade relations. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the ACCZ and its members.

I would also like to mention here that Chinese corporations in Zambia have taken a large number of local employees. So far, Chinese corporations have employed around 50,000 local employees, making outstanding contributions to improving people's lives in Zambia. For a long time, many excellent local employees have been recognized and appreciated by their corporations and colleagues, for their dedication, diligence and outstanding performance. They are standing out as brilliant examples to both Chinese and Zambian workers. They will inspire and motivate more colleagues to create a better future for themselves, their families, their companies, and the economic and social development of Zambia.

Today's Awarding Ceremony will surely deepen the traditional friendship and brotherhood between our two peoples, continuously consolidating the foundation for friendship between our two countries, and bringing Chinese investment into playing a more active part in building a community of shared future between China and Zambia.

Thank you!