Zambia Seeks Deeper Partnership With China, Citing Infrastructure Achievements

NINGBO, China

Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with China, emphasizing that true investment goes beyond capital inflows to include innovation, knowledge transfer, and shared prosperity.

Speaking during a high-level engagement with the Ningbo Communist Party of China (CPC), led by CPC Deputy Secretary of Zhejiang Province Wang Cheng, Mrs. Nalumango said Zambia is eager to learn from China’s development experience while charting its own path toward inclusive and sustainable growth. She praised China’s rapid economic transformation, noting that the resilience of the Chinese people and the vision of their leadership continue to inspire developing nations worldwide.

“Investment is more than the movement of capital; it is a partnership that encourages innovation and collective advancement,” she said. “Zambia values its cooperation with China and is keen to apply lessons that strengthen our national development agenda.”

The Vice President highlighted several flagship infrastructure projects in Zambia that were delivered with Chinese support. These include the expansion of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, which modernized aviation infrastructure and increased passenger-handling capacity; the construction of the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola, designed to enhance connectivity in the Copperbelt and northern regions; and the Kenneth Kaunda Conference Centre in Lusaka, developed to host high-level international meetings, including the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit.

“These projects demonstrate the tangible benefits of Zambia China cooperation, improving transport efficiency, boosting conference and tourism capacity, and strengthening Zambia’s position as a regional business hub,” Mrs. Nalumango said.

She expressed confidence that the discussions in Ningbo would expand areas of collaboration based on mutual benefit and long-term partnership. The Vice President was accompanied by UPND Deputy Secretary General Gertrude Imenda, who participated in the bilateral engagements.