In celebration of a friend in need

Zambian envoy launches Double Golden Jubilee to mark 50 years of independence and half a century of diplomatic ties with China

Zambia's ambassador to China, Gertrude Kasuba Mwape has praised China for being an "all-weather friend" which has been on hand to help her country in its greatest "times of need".

The ambassador was speaking at the launch of the embassy's "Double Golden Jubilee", which next month will celebrate 50 years of independence from Britain, and half a century of diplomatic ties with China.

The ambassador noted that China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with her country on Oct 29, 1964, just five days after independence, making it the first Southern African country to have such a link.

She highlighted, particularly, that China most spectacularly came to her country's aid - after the only reliable route for trade was closed by the Ian Smith regime of the-then Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) - with the building of the famous 1,860 kilometer Tanzania Zambia Railway, financed with an interest-free loan of over $US500 million from the Chinese government, at a time when its own people were having to make sacrifices.

Since then, Zambia has seen massive investment by China, with the Zambian government engaging many Chinese companies in construction works around the country, she added.

Mwape urged Zambians to welcome Chinese in their own neighborhoods, and said the two countries had enjoyed cordial relations based on mutual trust and respect.

She added the two nations were enjoying joint-economic development that will benefit generations to come, but added that cooperation can only grow if the two side embrace each other as "brothers and sisters" with a common vision of development.

"China has been one of many reliable all-weather friends to Zambia.

"It has always been on hand to help us in times of need, resulting in massive development being experienced in our country today," she said.

Mwape emphasized that the enthusiasm shown by the Chinese government and its willingness to help Zambia in many aspects of development should be reciprocated by Zambians welcoming the Chinese into their communities.

She said the relationship that exists at national level should be allowed to trickle down to individuals through exchange programs and partnerships.

"China has also helped improve the country's economy by bringing life some to closed mines in the Copperbelt province and employing a number of Zambians in the area," she added.

For China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 09/19/2014 page3)