As China and Zambia commemorate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, they are celebrating a partnership characterized by significant achievements in infrastructure development, economic collaboration and cultural exchanges.

During a recent visit to China, Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, said his country and China are "like-minded brothers and partners", and noted that Zambia is keen to use the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Haimbe also invited more Chinese companies to invest in Zambia and expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy, mining and other fields.

Han Jing, China's newly appointed ambassador to Zambia, said the traditional friendship between China and the landlocked nation in southern Africa has withstood the test of time, and that under the guidance of their leaders, the bilateral relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, serving as a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation.

In an article recently published in People's Daily, Han emphasized that Zambia was the first country in southern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China. He noted that China has always approached and developed China-Zambia relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, adhering to the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.

The ambassador said China and Zambia have expanded their collaboration in infrastructure development, agriculture, mining and clean energy, and emphasized that China is committed to optimizing cooperation models and continuing to help Zambia enhance its capacity for self-sustained development. Han also pointed out that Zambia has expressed strong interest in learning from China's modernization experience.

Over half a century ago, China overcame numerous challenges to aid in the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, a 1,886-kilometer line that connects Zambia with neighboring Tanzania, bringing new momentum into the economic and social development along its route.

Ivan Zyuulu, Zambia's ambassador to China, said his country, China and Tanzania are planning to partially renovate the railway and reform its management model to enhance functionality. "The friendship between Zambia and China has never wavered," Zyuulu said, adding that cooperation between the two countries has deepened, supported by mutual trust, and now spans a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, clean energy, education and communications.

In 2023, bilateral trade between the two countries reached about $5.31 billion, with China importing some $4.31 billion and exporting $999 million worth of goods. China mainly imports copper from Zambia, while sending machinery, electrical products, and steel the other way.

The enduring friendship between China and Zambia is deeply rooted in similar historical experiences, shared struggles, and common development goals of their peoples. They established diplomatic relations on Oct 29, 1964, and since 1967, China has undertaken over 70 projects in Zambia, including the TAZARA Railway, roads, cornmeal factories, textile mills and water wells.

Within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China has helped build stadiums, hospitals, schools, agricultural technology demonstration centers, malaria prevention centers, small hydropower stations, solar power facilities and wells in Zambia.

Trade zone

In the wake of landmark infrastructure projects, the Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has become a symbol of the "all-weather friendship" between the two sides. Approved by China's Ministry of Commerce and developed, operated and managed by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, the zone, inaugurated in February 2007, is the first of its kind in Africa and has attracted substantial investment in sectors such as manufacturing, mining and agriculture.

As of mid-2024, nearly 90 Chinese companies have established operations in the zone, with investments exceeding $2.7 billion. Total sales revenue of enterprises within the zone has surpassed $28 billion, driving the implementation of several major industrial projects and creating a significant number of local jobs.

The cooperation zone consists of the Chambishi and Lusaka areas. The former, located in the town of Kalulushi in north-central Copperbelt province, has a first-phase planned area of 11.49 square kilometers, primarily aimed at developing Zambia's rich copper and cobalt resources, extending the depth of resource processing and entering the international market.

The Chambishi area adheres to principles combining technological advancement and practicality, export orientation and import encouragement, as well as environmentally friendly production and comprehensive resource utilization. The goal is to build a modern non-ferrous metal industrial park with well-developed infrastructure, a complete industry chain, strong driving and radiating capabilities and significant effect.

Northeast of Zambia's capital of Lusaka and adjacent to the international airport, the other area of the zone has a total planned area of 5.7 sq km. Focusing on the Zambian and Southern African markets, it prioritizes the development of industries such as trade, logistics, processing and real estate. By 2030, the Lusaka area aims to become a modern airport industrial park with well-developed infrastructure, a beautiful ecological environment, and services centered around trade and logistics, value-added processing, modern office spaces and a free trade zone.

Cultural exchanges

Beyond economic collaboration, China and Zambia have prioritized cultural exchanges as a cornerstone of their relationship. The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, established in 2010, has become a hub for Chinese language and cultural studies in the country, offering language courses, cultural workshops, and exchange programs that foster a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

Fan Guoping, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, said its primary mission is to promote the Chinese language and culture. Over the past 13 years, the institute has cultivated a large number of Zambian students who understand Chinese and have a deep appreciation for Chinese culture.

"Currently, apart from the main Confucius Institute, we have two Confucius classrooms and 16 teaching sites. The students range from degree-seekers, including those from universities, middle schools, and primary schools, to participants in short-term training programs. In Zambia, more than 3,000 people study Chinese every year," Fan said.

Ambassador Zyuulu said that as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia, the Zambian embassy in China will host a series of events to help people better understand his country. He extended a warm invitation for Chinese people to visit Zambia, highlighting its favorable climate, spectacular Victoria Falls and rich wildlife.