ZAMBIA is ready now more than ever to do business with China, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Wylbur Simuusa said in an interview yesterday following a meeting some 150 top Chinese business executives held with President Michael Sata at State House on Saturday.

“The meeting the President had with Chinese business executives is very symbolic in determining how we do business with China from now on,” Mr Simuusa said, “to me the President sent a clear signal to the world that he does not have any anti-Chinese feelings as the world tended to believe in the past as he campaigned for elections. The meeting means we are ready to engage China as an economic development partner.”

Mr Simuusa said China now “cannot be ignored because it is about to become a super power,” that must be closely engaged instead of “shunned.” He said Chinese investment in Zambia, especially the economic back-bone which is copper mining, will be protected but at the same time Zambia shall ensure that Chinese companies “treat their workers well and pay them well,” so that both parties benefit.

During Saturday’s luncheon he hosted for Chinese business executives, President Sata said, “I used to criticise you and said I would sort you out, “but now I want to use you to help our people.”

President Sata “eased” his hard-line position onto the Chinese saying they can work and “engage” in any kind of business they wished as long as they did so within the laws of Zambia.

Chinese envoy Zhou Yuxiao advised the business entourage to act “within the law” while in Zambia and avoid doing anything that would tarnish the image of the country.

Chinese companies have invested about $2billion in Zambia and they are responsible for creating up to 2000 jobs but they have constantly come under fire for under paying workers and disregarding labour laws but Zhou said this will change.

[pullquote]President Sata “eased” his hard-line position onto the Chinese saying they can work and “engage” in any kind of business they wished as long as they did so within the laws of Zambia.[/pullquote]

Zambia is Africa’s top copper producer targeting about 2 million tons of copper annually by 2015 the government said in April.

And the Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) says President Sata has made a right decision to work with China in advancing Zambia’s economic development.

PSDA chairperson Yusuf Dodia said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Sata’s statement and stance on Chinese investment is positive because this can help Zambia to improve the country’s infrastructure.

“China has the technology, roads, bridges and investment which Zambia needs. Zambia cannot wait to develop but we should use every opportunity from countries like China to develop our country,” Mr Dodia said.

He said China has US$3.2 trillion in foreign reserves and Zambia needs to benefit such resources. Mr Dodia said Zambia needs to use China to develop because even countries called the “super powers” are using Chinese resources to develop their countries.

He said although the “super powers” used to borrow money from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, they are now getting it from China. Mr Dodia said President Sata’s statement that he will use Chinese investment to develop Zambia is important and should be supported.

He said people might criticise President Sata for his decision to work with China but Zambia needs development and not criticism. Mr Dodia is hopeful Mr Sata’s statement will further strengthen bilateral relations between Zambia and China.

He said most Chinese investors are hardworking and ensure their projects are completed on time. Mr Dodia said he is happy that President Sata has decided to send former President Kenneth Kaunda as his special envoy of goodwill to China.

He said he is confident Dr Kaunda will execute his mission to China successfully and help to strengthen the bilateral relations between the countries.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Opposition MMD Youth Wing calling itself ‘Die Hard for RB’ has advised the National Executive Committee (NEC) and MMD party officials to immediately convene an extra party convention to elect the party president to succeed Mr. Rupiah Banda.

MMD Die Hard Youth Wing National Co-ordinator Bowman Lusambo says MMD youths are opposed to NEC’s decision to nominate a leader to take over from Mr. Banda.

Mr. Lusambo says the convention would provide a platform for all MMD members to democratically elect a leader of their choice.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing held at his office in Lusaka today, Mr. Lusambo said the young people will support one candidate from the three names that have been floated by the party.

MMD Deputy National Chairman and Kasempa Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Kabinga Pande, former Zambian Ambassador to Canada Dr. Nevers Mumba and MMD Lunte Constituency MP Felix Mutati are some whose names have so far been mentioned.

He disclosed that the youths have got their preferred presidential candidate to support at the MMD extraordinary convention but stated that it was too early to divulge the name of the candidate.

Mr. Lusambo pledged to support the new Government of President Michael Sata and give him the respect he deserves as head of state.

He, however, stated that MMD would bounce back to power in 2016 because the party was still very strong and structures were still intact but only needed re-organising.

On the MMD/UPND Pact, Mr. Lusambo said the youths do not recognize the political alliance and said MMD would go it alone.

“We don’t need the pact because MMD has got credible leaders to take the party forward. Pact for what, MMD is strong enough to stand on its own,” Mr. Lusambo said.

[pullquote]“We don’t need the pact because MMD has got credible leaders to take the party forward. Pact for what, MMD is strong enough to stand on its own,” Mr. Lusambo said.[/pullquote]

The MMD Die Hard Youth National Co-ordinator described those defecting to the ruling PF as people with no morals and accused them of running away from possible prosecution because of the illicit dealings with public institutions like the Food Reserve Agency.

Mr. Lusambo threatened to spill the beans by reporting some former high ranking officials to the Anti-Corruption Commission for their many misdeeds during their tenure of office.

And Mr. Lusambo has thanked former president Mr. Rupiah Banda for the smooth handover of power to the PF.

ZANIS

President Michael Sata on Saturday said he would welcome Chinese investors, promising to strengthen relations with Beijing, in a U-turn on his pre-election anti-China stance.

“When we were campaigning people were complaining about the Chinese and I promised that I will sort the Chinese out,” said Sata who hosted a luncheon for Beijing investors at the State House.

“They are also going to sort me out and so we are going to use them to develop,” he said.

Sata, who was elected in September is known for his tough stand against the influx of Chinese investment into the country, particularly in the mining sector, which he says does not benefit locals.[pullquote]They are also going to sort me out and so we are going to use them to develop[/pullquote]

He observed that although China with had a big population it was developing at a faster rate and wondered why Zambia with a small population is faced with so many developmental challenges.

He said China was developing because of ‘aggressiveness’ exhibited by the Chinese people in getting what they want for their country.

“Let’s give China proper specifications because what I know is that specifications have a back-up. China with a big population has got less constraints but developing so fast why because of aggressiveness by the Chinese people.”

“Zambia with a small population with 13 million people has huge constraints comparing with China with a bigger population. This should not be the case since China is at our disposal today,” President Sata said.

The President said he would utilize the Chinese Government in his first five-year tenure of Office so that Zambians largely benefit from their Chinese counterparts.

[pullquote]“The Chinese can do with one meal a day; use them properly and if you find there are more Chinese on one job, don’t blame the Chinese, blame the immigration officer who gave them work permits. Do they deserve those work permits?”, he asked [/pullquote]

“Don’t blame the Chinese, blame yourself because the Chinese are willing to work, they are very hard working people,” he said. “The Chinese can do with one meal a day; use them properly and if you find there are more Chinese on one job, don’t blame the Chinese, blame the immigration officer who gave them work permits. Do they deserve those work permits?”, he asked

Mr. Sata said the Patriotic Front (PF) policy is not different from that of the China therefore the reason for sending Dr. Kaunda to re-new Zambia-China friendship which he said dates way back in the 1950s.

At the same event, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao disclosed that the volume of trade by Chinese companies stood at US $2.8 billion in 2010 while the total trade and investment with Zambia stood at US $ 5 billion respectively.

The Chinese Envoy further pledged to assist Zambia in various economic sectors such as agriculture, construction, health, technology, trade, science, schools, hydro-power sports stadium as well as the provision of grants and loans.

And Chairman of the Chinese Corporation of Zambia Shin Hu said the Chinese community has so far invested US $2 billion translating into over 30,000 jobs created for the local people.

Mr. Hu, who is also Chairman for Chinese Non- Ferrous Metal Corporation, appealed to the new Government to protect the Chinese investors in the country and further pledged to work with the Government of the day.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibini, Cabinet Minister and their deputies, former Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister in the Chiluba regime Dipak Patel, Zambia and Chinese senior government and China Communist Party Committee and PF senior party officials were among the people that attended the luncheon at State House.