Wang Yi Holds Talks with Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kasongo Kakubo

On March 19, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kasongo Kakubo in Tunxi, Anhui Province.

Wang Yi welcomed Kakubo, as the first foreign minister of a sub-Saharan African country to visit China since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wang Yi said, the traditional friendship between China and Zambia, forged and nurtured by the successive generations of leaders of both countries, is the most precious spiritual wealth of China and Zambia and provides an endless impetus for the amicable relations between the two countries, which should be all the more cherished, inherited and carried forward. China-Zambia relations have become a benchmark for China-Africa friendship and a model for South-South cooperation. China supports Zambia in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen strategic communication between the two sides, deepen experience-sharing on state governance, enhance mutual trust, and expand and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

Wang Yi said, since last year, bilateral trade between China and Zambia has bucked the overall downward trend and enjoyed positive growth, and key projects have been put into operation continuously. The two sides should make persistent efforts to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as mineral development, and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as modern agriculture, processing and manufacturing industries, and renewable energy. More Zambian high-quality goods are welcome to enter the Chinese market, and China supports more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Zambia, so as to help Zambia's independent economic development and industrialization process. China hopes that Zambia will create a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises. China will continue to support Zambia's economic and social development to the best of its capability, provide COVID-19 vaccines according to Zambia's needs, and strengthen cooperation in health care, people's wellbeing and other fields.

Kakubo congratulated China on successfully hosting the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, saying that Zambia is sincerely happy that China has fulfilled its first centenary goal as scheduled and is embarking on a new journey of development. This has also strengthened the determination and confidence of African countries to learn from China's experience and get rid of poverty. The friendship between Zambia and China boasts a long history, and the friendship forged by the successive generations of leaders of both countries is of benchmark significance. Zambia will always remember China's selfless help and the friendship of the Chinese people, and thanks China for its firm support to Zambia in fighting the pandemic. The vaccines provided by China have helped the vaccination rate in Zambia jump from less than 3 percent to over 22 percent. Zambia is ready to deepen the pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in various fields, implement key projects and advance follow-up projects. Zambia expects China to expand investment in and trade with Zambia, and will continue to provide a stable business environment and preferential tax policies for Chinese enterprises.

Kakubo spoke highly of China's long-term contribution to the development of the African continent, as well as China's efforts to uphold principles and champion justice in international affairs, and highly appreciated the new measures for cooperation with Africa announced by President Xi Jinping. Zambia is ready to work with China to firmly safeguard the internationally recognized principles such as respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and non-interference in internal affairs.

Wang Yi said, the Communist Party of China always bears in mind the interest of the world, and seeks happiness for the Chinese people and progress for human society. We always champion justice in the world, stand firmly with African brothers and sisters, and are the most reliable partners of African countries. China is ready to work with African countries including Zambia to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the common interests of the developing countries and international fairness and justice.

Both sides agreed that the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is a powerful example of China and Africa treating each other as friends with sincerity. Efforts should be made to ensure the joint management of this railway successfully, which is beneficial to the people, so that more younger people of China and Africa can have an in-depth understanding of the common course of mutual firm support, inherit the spirit of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and endow it with new connotations of the times, and inject fresh vitality to the Tanzania-Zambia Railway.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Wang Yi expounded on China's principled position. Kakubo agreed that conflicts should be resolved through diplomatic negotiations, appreciated China's active efforts to promote peace talks and its long-term leading role in achieving peace, and expected China to continue to play a constructive role.