On 3rd November, H.E. Mr. Li Jie, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, met with Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry. They had an exchange of views on economic and trade cooperation.

Ambassador Li said China International Import Expo is gaining global popularity as international public goods. Zambia participated 2nd CIIE as guest country of honor. President Hichilema will attend the opening ceremony of the 4th CIIE online. China attaches great importance to it and invites the President as the only African head of state to give a video speech. China appreciates Zambia's active support and attention to the CIIE.

Ambassador Li said that China is willing to further expand bilateral trade with Zambia and jointly promote the export of more Zambian high-quality agricultural products to China, to help Zambia diversify exports. In terms of investment, Zambia ranks first among African countries in attracting Chinese investment in 2020. China is one of the largest sources of investment in Zambia, in particular through the construction and development of Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones, to actively support economic development and industrialization in Zambia. It is hoped that the Zambian side will maintain a peaceful and stable investment environment, formulate continuous preferential investment policies, and promote the ETCZs to become an important source of Zambia’s revenue, employment, technology and skill import.

Ambassador Li said that in recent years, China and Zambia have carried out a series of practical cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) , and Zambia has become one of the main beneficiary countries of FOCAC. The new Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC will be held in Dakar at the end of November. China invites Zambia to actively  participate in the event.

Mulenga said that the Zambian government is committed to achieving economic diversification, by promoting the development of high value-added industries such as manufacturing, to restore economic growth and improve employment and people's livelihood. China has extensive advantages in capital, technology and other fields. Zambia hopes to develop closer cooperative relations with China to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Zambia is willing to maintain close communication with China on specific matters such as bilateral trade and ETCZs.