Speech by His Excellency Mr. President Hichilema

Address by Chinese Ambassador in Zambia, Mr. Du Xiaohui

Speech by Executive Vice Governor, Mr. Ren Zhufeng

Promotional Speech by Chairman of CJIC, Mr. Zhang Jian'an

Signing Ceremony

On October 13th, the China-Jiangxi-Zambia Investment and Trade Cooperation Promotion was grandly held in the Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone located in the Central Province of Zambia. President of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, attended the meeting and delivered the keynote speech. Zambia's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mutengo Mulenga, and Central Province Governor, Mr. Prins Chiles Kazuni, gave speeches. Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Du Xiaohui, addressed the gathering, as well as Ren Zhufeng, member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee and Executive Vice Governor. Xiao Yun, Director of the Jiangxi State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, presided over the meeting, and Zhang Jian'an, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Company, made a promotional speech. High-level officials from Zambia, including Stanley Kakubo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Cornelius Mweetwa, Minister of Information, attended the meeting. Also present were Chinese delegates, business associations, and leaders of the Chinese community in Zambia, as well as representatives of local governments from Nanchang, Jiujiang, and Pingxiang, along with business delegations, totaling over 200 participants.

Mr. President Hichilema expressed that the traditional friendship and fruitful economic cooperation between Zambia and Jiangxi have deep roots. Last month, during his visit to China, an investment and tourism promotion event was held in Jiangxi's Jinggangshan, and today's promotional event is a continuation of his visit to China. He hopes that this promotion will provide an opportunity to deepen friendly exchanges, promote practical cooperation, and collectively create a brighter future. He also expressed his hope for more enterprises to invest in the Zambia-Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone, fully utilizing the advantages of the surrounding agriculture and other resources to create more job opportunities locally. He emphasized that the Zambia-Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone is an industrial park for the people of both Zambia and China. He hopes that everyone will support the development of the park, protect investors, and create a favorable business environment.

Ambassador Du Xiaohui reviewed the fruitful results achieved during Mr. President Hichilema's visit to China and Jiangxi last month. He mentioned that the entire state visit was on-site and witnessed the elevation of China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Regarding the preferential policies proposed in Zambia's 2024 national budget for the multi-functional economic zone, he hopes that more Chinese enterprises can benefit from it. He encouraged diversifying cooperation to invest and connect with local partners, contributing to increasing value, creating jobs, and improving people's livelihoods. He pointed out that according to the consensus of the two heads of state, 2024 will see the celebration of the China-Zambia Economic and Trade Cooperation Year and the Cultural Tourism Year, marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The next China-Africa Cooperation Forum meeting will also be held in China in 2024, with a commitment to implementing the consensus of the two heads of state and taking cultural and tourism cooperation to a new level within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

Representing the Jiangxi provincial government, Ren Zhufeng, Executive Vice Governor, warmly welcomed the guests at the event. He briefly introduced Jiangxi's historical and cultural heritage, its vibrant development, and promising prospects. He emphasized that this year marks the 10th anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative, and next year will be the 60th anniversary of China-Zambia diplomatic relations. Jiangxi highly values this precious traditional friendship with Zambia and will rely on the Zambia-Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone to use advanced practical technology, equipment, and production management experience to assist Zambia in expanding its economic size and sources of wealth. He stated that they would create more cooperation platforms, implement national tariff preferences, promote "Zambia's high-quality products" in Jiangxi, publicize Zambia's tourism resources, and encourage more people from Jiangxi to travel to Zambia.

Chairman Zhang Jian'an delivered a promotional speech covering the background of the cooperation zone's development, its advantages, and industrial planning. He mentioned that the Zambia-Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone is the first overseas economic and trade park actively developed by Jiangxi, with excellent location advantages. It aims to provide a one-stop service for entry companies, including visa processing, company registration, import and export customs clearance, product exhibition, and promotion. According to Zambia's current industrial status and its demand for industrial development, combined with China's willingness for international cooperation, the cooperation zone will focus on building a comprehensive industrial system represented by "5+3+N." In the future, the cooperation zone will adhere to the principles of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, aiming for high standards, benefiting the people, and sustainability, to create an important platform for China-Zambia production capacity cooperation.

As a significant part of the promotional event, the attendees witnessed the unveiling ceremony of the Zambia-Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone, personally inaugurated by President Hichilema.