On 28 May, President Hakainde Hichilema attended the 2024 Forum on Technology Empowering Development of Mining Industry in Luanshya, Copperbelt Province. More than 400 people were present, including Mr. Wang Sheng, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, Mr. Xi Zhengping, Chairman of China Nonferrous Mining Corporation, Hon. Paul Kabuswe, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development of Zambia, and 11 other Cabinet Ministers, Minister of Copperbelt Province, Minister of North-Western Province, Minister of Eastern Province, representatives from government, parliament, political parties, local administrations, international organizations and 80 businesses of the two countries.

President Hichilema said that the Luanshya New Mine project was one of the agreements he reached with President Xi Jinping during his state visit to China last September and China promptly fulfilled its commitments. He said the Forum is a tribute to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zambia and China and thanked President Xi and the government and people of China for their strong support for the development of the mining sector of Zambia. Impressed by China's advanced technology, he expressed a hope to continue to deepen all-round cooperation between the governments and businesses of the two countries.

Chargé d’Affaires Wang Sheng said that following the China-Zambia High-Quality Development Forum on 15 May, the Forum is a key event to implement the important consensus reached by the two Heads of State. The President's participation in a number of China-related events this month reflects the great importance he attaches to China-Zambia relations. The Luanshya New Mine project and the Sino-Zambia Vocational College of Science and Technology are vivid examples of deepening China-Zambia mining cooperation. China not only possesses the most advanced mining technology, but is also ready to transfer it to Zambia. China will continue to support the development of Zambia's mining industry and help Zambia realize its national vision.

Mr. Xi Zhengping said that China Nonferrous Mining Corporation will further increase investment to improve Zambia's mining sector and people's livelihood, implement the consensus reached by the two Heads of State, and make more contribution to the local economy as well as the friendship between China and Zambia.

The forum was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, Copperbelt Provincial Administration and China Nonferrous Mining Corporation. Three parallel sub-forums were held on smart mine construction, supply chain and vocational education. A ceremony was held to launch the Luanshya New Mine and the Sino-Zambia Vocational College of Science and Technology new campus. Luanshya 28 Shaft has been flooded for 23 years, while Chinese businesses have developed world-leading technology, which will pump out 130 million cubic meters of water from the 1,200 meter-deep mine, helping to revitalize the shaft meanwhile effectively alleviating the drought and power shortages in Zambia.