Remarks at the Reception Marking the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China by H.E. Mr. Li Jie, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia

Grasp new opportunities for development and share new achievements in cooperation
2018-09-29 18:00

Your Excellency Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, the First Republican President,

Hon. Nkandu Luo, Minister of Higher Education, Guest of Honor,

Hon. Given Lubinda, Minister of justice,

Hon. Mathew Nkhuwa, Minister of Energy and Water Development,

Lt. Gen. Nathan Mulenga, Commandant of Zambia National Service,

Your Worship, Mr. Miles Sampa, Mayor of Lusaka City,

Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries and senior government officials,

Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners,

My fellow countrymen and women,

Friends from the media,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tonight, we are here to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to express sincere gratitude to all friends who are present. Thank you for supporting China's development and for your commitment to China-Zambia friendly cooperation. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my festival greetings to my compatriots representing the Chinese enterprises, institutions and the Chinese communities here.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At this special occasion, I would like to extend my profound respect, heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to a man who is a great friend of China, who is a founder and gardener of the all-weather friendly relationship of China and Zambia, who is a witness and supporter of the fruitful outcome of Sino-Zambia cooperation: Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda.

For over 50 plus years, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has made pains-taking efforts to promote and consolidate the bilateral relationship. He is a great friend of Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and generations of Chinese leaders. To many Chinese, he is a legend. To Zambians, he is the builder of One Zambia, One Nation.

Your Excellency, I am short of words to express the admiration we have for you, but I would now only wish you a good health and a happy life.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. In the past 40 years, China’s GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 9.5%, per capita disposable income has increased by more than 100 times, and over 700 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty. Today, China has not only become the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial manufacturer and the largest trading nation in goods, but also has continuously contributed more than 30% to global economic growth for many years through integrating itself into the world economic system. China thus has become a major driver for the world economy.

At this new historical starting point, China’s determination of reform has been even more steadfast, and the door of opening up will only be opened even wider. H.E. President Xi Jinping has announced a series of important policies and initiatives regarding China’s opening up at this year's Boao Forum for Asia, stressing that China will continue to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and steer the global economy toward greater openness, inclusiveness, balanced growth and win-win outcomes for all.

From September 3rd to 4th this year, the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held. State leaders from China and African countries have discussed the China-Africa cooperation in the new era under the theme of "win-win cooperation and join hands to build a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa". The Summit set goals and charted the course for the development of China-Africa friendship, and defined the China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the new era.

The FOCAC Beijing Summit adopted two important outcome documents, The Beijing Declaration and The FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021). More than 100 new measures to deepen China-Africa cooperation across the board were launched with the implementation of “the eight major initiatives” as the core, namely industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity building, health care, people-to-people exchange, peace and security initiatives.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China should follow a “five-no” approach in our relations with Africa: no interference in African countries' pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries' internal affairs; no imposition of our will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.

President Xi Jinping solemnly announced that China would provide another 60 billion US Dollars of financial support to Africa in the form of government assistance as well as investment and financing by financial institutions and companies. In the next 3 years, China will provide Africa with 50,000 government scholarships and 50,000 training opportunities for seminars and workshops, and will invite 2,000 young Africans to visit China for exchanges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

H.E. President Edgar Lungu headed a high level Zambian government delegation to visit China and attended the FOCAC Beijing Summit. President Xi Jinping and President Lungu held a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Both heads of state witnessed the signing of a series of important bilateral cooperation agreements and documents, such as The MOU on Cooperation within the Framework of Belt and Road Initiative. H.E. Mr. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, also had a meeting with President Lungu. This visit fully reflects the high level of political mutual trust and friendly cooperation between China and Zambia.

The glorious history has engraved the friendship in the hearts of our two peoples, and the bright future is heralding in front of us. China is willing to work together with Zambia to take the opportunity of implementing the FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes and celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-Zambia diplomatic relations next year, give full play to the three advantages of traditional friendship, economic complementarity and people-to-people mutual understanding, and constantly open up new prospects for win-win cooperation and common development between China and Zambia.

First, we shall work together to deepen political mutual trust between the two countries and maintain the momentum of high-level visits. China is ready to work with Zambia to uphold the fine tradition of friendship and cooperation, promote bilateral ties in a strategic and long-term perspective, and continue to show mutual understanding and support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns.

Second, we shall tap the cooperation potential of the two countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the FOCAC. China will continue to support Zambia's industrialization and agricultural modernization process as well as increasing Zambia’s exports to China, with the efforts of key projects and the construction of industrial parks, thus continuously enhancing the growing satisfaction of the two peoples and ensure the long-term and steady growth of China-Zambia economic and trade cooperation.

Third, we shall promote the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and strengthen the bridge connecting the two peoples. China is willing to work together with Zambia to continuously strengthen sub-national exchanges between the two countries, promote the establishment of friendly-province relations and friendly-city relations. We encourage Chinese nationals in Zambia to actively integrate into the local community and deepen friendship with the local people of Zambia, so as to enhance mutual learning between the two peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peace and development remain the underlying trend of our times. As indicated by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, China, the world's largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries, have long formed a community with a shared future.

The Chinese side is ready to take the important consensus reached by our two leaders as the guide, think and work with one heart and one mind with the Zambian people to strengthen our friendly cooperation in various fields to bring more benefits to the two peoples. Together, we will move forward to upgrade China-Zambia bilateral relationship and build a closer community with a shared future.

Now, Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I invite you to join me in a toast

To the prosperity of China and Zambia,

To the peace and well-being of our two peoples,

To the bright future of China-Zambia friendship,

To the health of His Excellency President Edgar Lungu and His Excellency Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, and all friends present,

Cheers!

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA All RIGHTS RESERVED