The Republic of Zambia's Lusaka Province is looking to broaden trade and investment connections with Shenzhen and learn from the city's development experience, said provincial minister Sheal Shacholi Mulyata.
Mayor Qin Weizhong met with Mulyata in Shenzhen yesterday, extending a warm welcome and introducing the city’s socioeconomic progress.
Qin said that Shenzhen has transformed into an international city full of charm, vitality, and innovation over the past four decades and is now accelerating the building of a more globally influential economic hub and modern metropolis.
"We are looking forward to increasing trade and investment exchanges with the province of Lusaka in the future for mutual benefit," Qin said. He suggested strengthening cooperation in agriculture, solar photovoltaics, and infrastructure.
Mulyata emphasized the long-standing, growing ties between Zambia and China, expressed admiration for Shenzhen's accomplishments, and hoped to apply its successful developmental strategies.
"We admire Shenzhen's achievements, and we hope to draw on the successful experience of Shenzhen's economic and social development for our development," she said.
Mulyata also expressed a willingness to deepen practical cooperation between the two sides in agriculture, mining, energy, transportation, and other fields. She also welcomed more Shenzhen-based enterprises to invest and grow in Lusaka.
In particular, Mulyata proposed the possibilities of opening direct flights and establishing friendly exchange relations between Lusaka and Shenzhen. "Direct connectivity will significantly boost investment, trade, and people-to-people exchanges," she said.
On Tuesday, Mulyata attended the fifth Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation in Guangzhou, where leaders from China and various African nations, local governments from central Africa, and leaders from relevant institutions discussed industrial collaboration, green innovation, and talent development.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema visited Shenzhen for three days as part of his state visit to China last September. During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Hichilema announced the elevation of China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.