On 10 April 2026, Minister Counsellor Wang Sheng attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zambia Petrochemical Energy Company Limited (ZPEC) Refinery Project in Ndola. Over 100 people were present, including Hon. Makozo Chikote, Minister of Energy, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Elisha Matambo, Minister of Copperbelt Province, the Chairperson of ZPEC, as well as representatives from the Zambian government, businesses, and financial institutions. Counsellor Jin Jun of the Chinese Embassy also attended.
Minister Counsellor Wang noted that China and Zambia has upgraded the bilateral relations to the Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership between China and Zambia. The successful launch of the refinery project represents an important outcome of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit and another milestone in China-Zambia practical cooperation. By introducing Chinese capital and advanced technology, the refinery will actively support Zambia’s industrialization and modernization, significantly enhance its energy self-sufficiency and effectively promote economic diversification. The Chinese government will continue to support Chinese businesses in expanding cooperation with the Zambian side across various sectors, including energy.
Minister Chikote expressed gratitude to the Chinese business for choosing to invest in and construct the refinery project in Zambia. He stated that the project holds immense economic and strategic significance for Zambia’s social and economic development, aligns closely with President Hichilema’s policy priorities of increasing added value, introducing high technology, and expanding local employment and will strongly drive economic growth in Copperbelt Province and the nation as a whole. The Zambian government will continue to work closely with the Chinese government to jointly support and ensure the smooth implementation and early completion of the project.
The ZPEC Refinery Project is being developed by Fujian Xiangxin Co., Ltd. in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of Zambia. It has an annual refining capacity of 3 million tons, with a total investment exceeding one billion US Dollars. Phase I of the project has an annual refining capacity of 1.1 million tons, producing gasoline, diesel, liquefied gas, asphalt, aviation kerosene and other petrochemical products
During the visit to Ndola from 10 to 11 April, Minister Counsellor Wang and Counsellor Jin called on Chinese medical team members working at Ndola Teaching Hospital. They also conducted field inspections of the Ndola Railway Station of Zambia Railway Limited and the Sakania Border Post and related road projects undertaken by AVIC. They encouraged the medical team to continue making new contributions to China-Zambia health cooperation and urged the Chinese businesses to consolidate internal management and ensure full compliance in their operations.