China and Zambia have taken another significant step in strengthening their longstanding economic and diplomatic ties with the signing of a new Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement. This agreement, signed by Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Wang Sheng and Zambian Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, lays the groundwork for new China-aided projects aimed at boosting Zambia’s infrastructure, food security, and public health.
The agreement highlights China’s ongoing commitment to Zambia’s development, including the construction of three additional milling plants to enhance food security, the establishment of 300 small solar-powered piped water systems to alleviate water shortages, and the supply of HIV testing kits and medication to support Zambia’s healthcare sector.
The cooperation between China and Zambia is deeply rooted in history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964, China has played a crucial role in Zambia’s development. One of the most notable symbols of this partnership is the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), a railway project built in the 1970s with Chinese assistance to connect landlocked Zambia to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. The new agreement includes ongoing negotiations on revitalizing the TAZARA railway line, with major breakthroughs expected in the coming weeks.
Wang Sheng reaffirmed China’s “sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith” approach to Africa, stressing that Beijing is committed to fulfilling all its pledges. “For a long time, China has honored its commitments in Africa, and we remain dedicated to working with Zambia to implement priority development projects,” he said.
Minister Musokotwane welcomed China’s continued support, emphasizing that the new agreement reflects both nations’ commitment to economic growth and technical advancement. Zambia, like many African countries, has been seeking foreign investments to bolster infrastructure, food security, and industrial development. China, as Zambia’s largest bilateral creditor and a major investor, has been instrumental in developing roads, bridges, power plants, and telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The latest agreement is expected to deepen economic cooperation, expand Chinese investments in Zambia, and accelerate Zambia’s development agenda. With increasing collaboration in agriculture, health, and technology, the China-Zambia partnership remains a model of mutual benefit and South-South cooperation.
