On 14 January 2026, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia held a Symposium on the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Mr. Wang Sheng, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy, delivered a keynote speech. Close to 50 representatives from renowned Zambian think tanks, universities and media houses attended.
Mr. Wang provided a comprehensive interpretation of the Recommendations on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, with a focus on policy objectives such as high-quality development, technological innovation，high-standard opening-up and global partnership, to help decode the potential opportunities to Zambia through four keys, namely policy continuity, formulation of blueprints, international cooperation based on equity and justice, and synergization of development strategies. Mr. Wang expressed a readiness of China to follow the guidance of the consensus reached by the heads of state of China and Zambia and deepen cooperation with Zambia in fields such as mining, energy, digital governance and AI application, and prioritize the revitalization of the TAZARA Railway to help Zambia transform from a land-locked to a land-linked country, through greater synergy between China’s new Five-Year Plan and the development strategy of Zambia, with a view to building a closer China-Zambia community with a shared future. Mr. Wang also elaborated on China’s position on issues concerning its core interests such as the Taiwan question and expressed gratitude for Zambia's long-standing support.
Representatives from the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), the University of Zambia and independent scholars spoke highly of the Zambia-China Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership from the perspective of its contribution to Zambia’s national development. They expressed a readiness to learn from China’s governance experience, deepen joint cooperation in mining development, supply chain construction and technological application, and contribute to Zambia’s industrialization and the improvement of people’s livelihood. They also signaled an interest in stepping up China-related research in the country to promote high-level development of the bilateral relations and cement the friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Wang also answered questions on China’s poverty alleviation experience, financial viability and sustainability of the TAZARA revitalization project, etc..