China's growing influence in Zambia

Cooperation has brought massive benefits as African nation seeks to learn the secrets behind economic miracle

The relationship between China and Africa can be traced back to 1415 and, in contemporary politics, has been strengthened throughout the 21st Century by initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The current three-year FOCAC planning period is 10 cooperation plans being funded to the tune of $60 billion. The $60 billion offered by China is a clear statement that the Asian country has confidence in the African markets and shows that China means business in Africa.

Chinese influence in Africa, in the southern part of the continent in particular, has grown over the past few years and even surpassed those considered to be the traditional trading partners of the continent. Countries in southern Africa, such as Zambia, are benefitting immensely from cordial Sino-African relations.

In southern Africa, China played a crucial role in supporting the liberation struggles of countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. This friendship was also strengthened when China constructed the TAZARA railway line, referred to by many in southern Africa as a symbol of freedom and Chinese-African friendship.

Zambia and China's relations are growing stronger by the day, with the southern African country receiving huge funds and investment from the Asian economic giant. Zambia is one of the top countries in southern Africa to benefit from cooperation with China.

It is up to the countries in southern Africa, and Zambia in particular, to adjust their economic planning systems so they may tap into China's One Belt, One Road Initiative (OBOR). This has the potential to boost economies in not only in the southern part of Africa, but also in other parts of the continent as is already apparent in countries such as Kenya through the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR. The railway line, which is in some ways similar to the TAZARA line, will play a pivotal role in promoting regional integration in East Africa by connecting it to other countries such as Uganda in the future.

Chinese investment in Zambia has had downstream benefits, winning acceptance for Chinese businesses among local Zambian people, as shown by the study conducted by the Policy Monitoring and Research Centre, a Zambian think tank. In 1998, when China Non-Ferrous Metals Corporation (CNMC) bought a controlling stake in Zambia's Chambishi copper mine and invested in the rehabilitation of the mine, it led other Chinese companies to invest in the country. In a space of less than 10 years, around 160 Chinese companies invested or set up shop in Zambia, creating massive employment opportunities for the local Zambian people. As such, the locals will always respect Chinese business people for as long as the tangible benefits of the relationship are seen by ordinary citizens in the streets.

But this must not be seen as leeway for the Chinese people to act at the expense of the people or the environment: For example, in the past, there have been reports of labor disputes between the Chinese and the local Zambian people, and these cases need to be investigated and corrective measures must be taken against those who do not obey the Zambia's laws, since such issues have the potential to harm the reputation of Chinese companies operating in the country. In fact, the Chinese government must continue to encourage Chinese companies operating in Africa, and Zambia in particular, to continue observing local laws to prove those who are against growing Sino-African relations wrong.

Zambia is one of the preferred destinations for Chinese investment in southern Africa. The country is eager to learn how the Asian country became a global economic giant in such a short period of time following its opening-up and reform in 1978 under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. Zambia demonstrated this eagerness to learn by sending 10 of its provincial ministers, at the invitation of the Chinese government, on a visit to China to learn how the country has pulled millions of its citizens out of poverty. This is a clear example of the strong relationship between the two countries, which has seen Zambia become China's third-largest trade partner in southeast Africa, while China has become Zambia's second-largest export destination and third-largest source of imports. These visits are important in promoting skills and knowledge - exactly what Zambia needs to effectively benefit from its relationship with China.

Ordinary Zambians are also enjoying the massive infrastructure development brought about by Sino-Zambia relations.

In short, one can safely say that Chinese companies have brought massive investment, boosted employment and improved livelihoods in Zambia for mutually-beneficial growth.

The promotion of people-to-people exchanges and the transfer of skills and technology have all resulted in the local Zambian people's praise for the Chinese, bringing positive changes to the local Zambian people and southern Africa at large. More than 700 Chinese medical experts have served or are serving in Zambia today, playing an important role in the improvement of Zambia's medical services. Cultural exchanges between the two countries have also increased in recent years. Since 1987, China has provided more than 600 government scholarships to Zambia.

Sino-Zambian relations are a good example of "win-win cooperation". For the Zambian side, China has played a pivotal role in creating employment, technology and skills development, infrastructure and improved standards of living for its people. All these influences will eventually have positive effects on the Zambian economy, if they are not already being seen. But there remains a need for the Zambian government to link some aspects of its economic planning system with that of China so that it may effectively benefit from the growing relationship with China through initiatives and programs.

The author is an economist working with the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) in Harare, Zimbabwe. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 02/10/2017 page13)