By BRIAN HATYOKA –
ZAMBIA’s trade volume with China has increased from US$100 million at the beginning of the 21st century to more over $3 billion in recent years, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Yauming has said.
Mr Yauming said the two countries had enjoyed a cordial bilateral, economic and trade relationship for many years.
He was speaking in Livingstone on Monday night during the Happy Chinese New Year gala performance at Chrismar Hotel.
Mr Yauming said the bilateral cooperation in the area of education had also continued with 1,800 Zambian students currently studying in China.
He said China and Zambia had an all-weather friendly relationship on the basis of mutual trust, respect, equality and benefit, among others.
“Exchanges in the area of culture have continued too and we will continue to have frequent exchanges in the area of culture.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Chinese Vice-Minister for selecting Zambia as a destination for the New Year programme and I wish these cultural groups can continue to come here in Zambia’s tourist capital and attract more tourists from China,” Mr Yauming said.
He said the festival, which was a unique Chinese cultural heritage, was the first of its kind to be held in Livingstone and had spread to the whole country.
“Livingstone is a beautiful tourist capital with Victoria Falls. If you have been in Zambia but you have not been to Livingstone, then you haven’t been to Zambia,” Mr Yauming said.
He said the Spring Festival was the greatest Chinese festival with the strongest Chinese ethnic characterics symbolising peace, harmony and good health.
The event was attended by scores of Chinese nationals and Zambians who were entertained with breath-taking acrobatic and cultural performances by China’s Najing Guxiong Primary School art troup.
China’s Vice-Minister of Cultural Ding Wei and Senior Chief Mukuni were among the notable delegates during the event.
Livingstone District Commissioner Omar Munsanje said the two countries wanted to strength their bilateral relationship.
“We need to continue building our relationship through cultural exchanges and knowing one another better.
“Livingstone is a tourist capital and activities like these are part of tourism. Culture is one of the products we offer to international visitors. China means well in terms of development, economic activities and cultural values,” Mr Munsanje said.
Earlier on arrival at the airport, Mr Yauming said Zambia and China must work together to improve infrastructure and other facilities in the tourism sector to attract more Chinese tourists.
Mr Yauming said there was need for the two countries which had a long history of relationship to work together to improve infrastructure and other facilities so that more tourists from China could visit Zambia.
“Zambia has great potential for tourism. Develop that potential and let’s work together to improve infrastructure and other facilities to attract more tourists from China.
“More than 120 million Chinese tourists travel annually across the globe and some can be attracted to come to Zambia,” he said.