Chinese Charge D’Affaires Wang Sheng says China stands ready to transfer knowledge on energy solutions and agricultural productivity.
Mr Wang reveals that following commitments made during President Hakainde Hichilema visit to his country last year his government remains committed to provision of solar irrigation and mechanisation to agriculture technology to help Zambia increase agricultural production.
He further reveals that many Chinese companies are keen in carrying out large scale agricultural development cooperation because of Zambia’s fertile soils and favourable weather.
Mr Wang was speaking this morning during the Symposium on Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind at the Chinese Embassy in Lusaka.
“Water management for agricultural production is important. We have accumulated a lot of experience with water harvesting and are happy to share our experiences,” he added.
The Chinese Charge D’ Affaires has however bemoaned the poor transport infrastructure.
“The transportation infrastructure is a bottleneck. I think with the revitalisation of the Tanzania – Zambia Railway (TAZARA), that will bring new opportunities to that. We also can help to create economic corridors around the railway line,” he said.
With regards revamping the TAZARA, he disclosed that a Chinese company he did not name has already submitted a commercial plan to revitalize TAZARA.
Extensive discussions are going on with the government of Tanzania and Zambia on how to work out cooperation models.
“We want to leave a modernised TAZARA to our Zambian brothers and sisters, and we will teach our Zambian brothers and sisters to manage a modernised railway that can lead to prosperity and development.
“ We have to figure out the cooperation models,” he added.
And in an effort to twin a Chinese City to Livingstone as way to boost tourism relations, Mr. Wang disclosed that a Chinese delegation will be sent to Zambia this June to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
“The pertinent authorities in China have already promised that they will send tourism groups to Zambia to conduct familiarisation trips especially on how to help Zambia to create the right infrastructure for tourism and also promote Zambian tourism in China,” he added.
On the drought situation in Zambia, the Chinese Envoy revealed that his Embassy has advanced talks on the matter adding that China is ready to provide emergency relief food to Zambia when need arises.
He noted that alternative sources of energy are a better solution to energy challenges currently being faced by Zambia.
“As China, we have advanced technology in this area. There will be a solar energy operating in Zambia. We shall commission the project very soon,” he added.
