Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda says bilateral trade between Zambia and China has grown from US$21 million in 1995 to $3.8billion us dollars in 2014.
Speaking during the 2nd Zambia -China joint trade and economic committee meeting in Lusaka this afternoon, Mr. Chikwanda says Zambia and China share common interests and destiny and the two countries have a common desire of ensuring economic prosperity and uplifting the standards of living of their people.
Mr. Chikwanda notes that Zambia and China have also enjoyed long standing cordial and warm relations guided by principles of treating each other sincerely and equally, consolidating solidarity and mutual trust, joint pursuance of inclusive growth and development and promoting innovation in practical bilateral cooperation.
He adds that the Chinese Government has generously continued to support Zambia in areas of agriculture, education, health care, infrastructure, forestry and wild life protection, water and sanitation among other areas.
Mr. Chikwanda however, states that even with the cherished support, there is still room for improving, broadening and widening the frontiers of the bilateral relations through enhanced dialogue.
He notes that while the committee was established in 1986 to explore the various cooperative ways of economic, technical and trade relations and to study and solve any problems which may arise in the cooperation between the two countries; it has sadly not held a meeting for over two decades.
And Chinese vice Minister of Commerce Dr. Qian Keming says China is committed to its commercial relations with Zambia.
Dr Keming says after more than two decades of not holding meetings, the joint committee has been revived which is of great significance.
He notes that China and Zambia have always understood and supported each other on issues related to their core interest of nature concerns.
During the meeting, the two ministers also exchanged notes on the establishment of national milling plants in Zambia and the donation of vocational education supplies.