On March 14, Chargé d’Affaires Wang Sheng and His Loyal Highness Chief Monze, Honorable Credo Nanjuwa, Minister of Southern Province, Dr. Namani Monze, Permanent Secretary of Southern Province, and Mr. Mwanza Malambo, Monze District Commissioner jointly attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Boreholes Drilling in Monze District, Southern Province of Zambia. The project is undertaken by the Chinese side and in partnership with the UN World Food Program.

Chargé d’Affaires Wang Sheng said that as an urgent response to H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of drought as a national disaster and emergency in Zambia, and his call for humanitarian relief from the international community, the project is clear demonstration of the determination and efficiency of China when actions are urgently needed to come to the rescue of our brothers and sisters in Zambia, and the deep-rooted friendship and trust that exist between our two countries and peoples. The Association of Chinese Corporations in Zambia and the Contractor, China Geo Engineering Corporation, have donated mealie meals worth over 130,000 kwacha to the local communities as part of the humanitarian relief , to help fight food crisis as a result of the drought. The boreholes drilling project is only the first preliminary step taken by the Chinese side. We are ready to help more within our capacity and more resources will be mobilized, with possible large scale emergency food assistance in coordination, to help overcome the sever climate challenges faced by Zambia together with international community.

The Honorable Minister Nanjuwa expressed deep appreciations to the Chinese government and Chinese people’s long-term support to Zambia, as well as China and the WFP’s timely response to the president’s declaration of drought as a national disaster and emergency. He said that today’s boreholes drilling project marks a milestone of local development and will improve water-supply, irrigation system and further help develop the livestock industry. The Southern Province, as one of Zambia's three major granaries, is looking forward to strengthening agricultural cooperation with China, with access to advanced agricultural planting and irrigation technologies.

The boreholes drilling project is expected to be completed in April 2024 and will benefit more than 200 local residents in the short-term.