During a courtesy call on August 26, Chinese Ambassador Han Jing engaged in a fruitful exchange of views with Zambia’s Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Phiri, on the growing agricultural cooperation between China and Zambia. The discussion highlighted China’s optimism about Zambia’s agricultural investment potential and underscored China’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Ambassador Han expressed China’s willingness to work closely with Zambia to implement joint agricultural initiatives and promote Zambian agricultural exports to China, with the goal of creating shared benefits for both nations.
The Chinese government views Zambia as a key partner in agricultural development, recognizing the country’s rich resources and strategic location. Han emphasized that, through FOCAC, China aims to support sustainable agricultural projects in Zambia, focusing on innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building. These efforts will not only help boost Zambia’s agricultural productivity but also facilitate the export of high-quality Zambian products to the Chinese market. By leveraging this platform, both countries stand to benefit from enhanced trade relations and increased economic opportunities for their citizens.
Minister Reuben Phiri acknowledged the strong support from China and praised the deepening of the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the two nations. He noted that the cooperation has already delivered significant results, particularly in the areas of agricultural technology exchange, infrastructure development, and capacity building. Phiri reiterated Zambia’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, noting that the Ministry will ensure that the agreements reached by the heads of state are fully implemented.
Phiri also welcomed Ambassador Han to his new post, expressing optimism about the ambassador’s role in further advancing China-Zambia relations. He emphasized that Chinese investment is vital to Zambia’s agricultural transformation, which aims to move the sector towards modern, technologically advanced practices. Phiri highlighted the potential of Chinese businesses to invest in Zambia’s agricultural value chains, from production to processing, creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
The upcoming FOCAC Summit is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of China-Zambia agricultural cooperation. Both leaders view the summit as a pivotal moment to explore new areas of collaboration in modern agriculture, emphasizing mutually beneficial, win-win partnerships. The Zambian government hopes that the summit will attract more Chinese investors and lead to further joint ventures in areas like agro-processing, irrigation systems, and rural infrastructure development.
This meeting reflects a strong, evolving relationship between China and Zambia, rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable agricultural development. As the two countries continue to deepen their strategic partnership, the agricultural sector is set to become a cornerstone of their economic cooperation, delivering tangible benefits for farmers and consumers alike.