Zambia can learn a lot from China: president

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 05, 2003

Zambia can learn a lot from China: president

Zambia can learn a lot and is learning a lot from China, president Levy Mwanawasa said in Lusaka in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua before his visit to China on Nov. 5-11.

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Zambia can learn a lot and is learning a lot from China, president Levy Mwanawasa said in Lusaka in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua before his visit to China on Nov. 5-11.

"We value the relations with China as very important. We believe we can learn a lot, and we are learning a lot from China, particularly in the area of food production," he said.

The president noted that Zambia's relations with China is long and very cordial, dating back to pre-independence days.

"China played a very pivotal role in the fight for independence. When we became independent, it has continued to play a significant role in the development of this country," he said.

The president particularly mentioned the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, which was built with help from China, at a time when other nations said the project was not viable.

He also mentioned the China-Zambia Mulungushi textile company in Kabwe and the Chambezi copper mine in Kitwe, which resumed production last July after being closed for 16 years, thanks to an investment of 150 million US dollars from China.

Mwanawasa noted that Zambia can learn a lot from China in the agriculture field.

"You have a population of over one billion, yet you are able to look after so many people. We have a small population, but up to now, we have been failing to provide for them, so we have a lot to learn from China," he said.

The president said his government has recognized the importance of irrigation in boosting food production, and expressed the hope that Zambia can learn from China's experience.

He also said Zambia is diversifying its agricultural sector by developing non traditional crops such as rice, coffee and tobacco.

"China has a very big and growing market. We expect China can provide market to some of our crops," he said.

The president said it is commendable that more and more Chinese entrepreneurs are coming to invest in Zambia.

As Zambia has a free market economy, he said Chinese investors can start businesses on their own but his government prefer that they get into partnership with Zambians so that they can transfer technologies and let Zambians have a sense of ownership of the businesses.

On his visit to China, he said, apart from bilateral talks withChinese leadership, he also wants to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Chinese businessmen to sell Zambia to them.

He also mentioned that Zambia has rich water resources and a high potential in developing hydroelectricity and that he would like to see Chinese get involved in this aspect.

On his message to the Chinese people, he said he wants to see the relationship between Zambia and China to grow up from stage tostage.

"I would like to see more Chinese people coming and investing in Zambia. We are very grateful at the fact that China has provided training and education to some of our people. I would like that to continue. I want to see China playing a pivotal role in our efforts to develop agriculture and make food security," he said.

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