President Levy Mwanawasa has urged Zambians to be more positive about Chinese firms and their workers, a plea that comes a week before Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Zambia. In a meeting with supporters late on Thursday, Mwanawasa said he regretted violent anti-Chinese protests that erupted in the country last year and described China’s involvement in the Zambian economy as helpful.
“The Chinese government has brought a lot of development to this country and these are the people you are demonstrating against?” Mwanawasa said in Ndola.
Zambian labour unions and opposition parties have accused Chinese firms of underpaying workers and compromising safety in Zambia’s vast copper mines as they increase their investment in the resource-rich African nation.
In July 2006 six miners were shot in a protest at the Chinese-owned Chambishi copper mine, an incident that spurred anti-Chinese sentiment and led to criticism that Mwanawasa and his government were too close to Chinese interests.
Opposition presidential candidate Michael Sata made alleged Chinese exploitation of Zambian workers a key part of his unsuccessful bid to unseat Mwanawasa in an election late last year.
Mwanawasa, however, has responded to critics by pointing out the benefits of Chinese investment in Zambia, which is struggling to modernize a creaking infrastructure, especially in the mining sector, the lifeblood of the country’s economy.
On Thursday, the Zambian president announced China would loan Zambia $39-million to buy equipment needed to build and repair roads, a sign he said of the Asian giant’s good intentions toward Zambia.
“The feeder roads are in a bad state (and) we are going to use equipment which our counterparts will provide. It is therefore unfair to start criticizing the Chinese government,” Mwanawasa told state media.
Chinese investment in Zambia will be the main focus of Hu’s visit to the country next month.
The Chinese leader will open a smelter forecast to produce 150 000 t of copper each year and lay a foundation stone for a five-star hotel the Chinese plan to build in Livingstone, a Zambian official said.
Mwanawasa also said the Chinese had agreed to construct a new soccer stadium in Ndola.
“The two presidents will also sign a number of co-operation agreements, which will benefit Zambia economically,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The Editor,
There is nothing wrong with the Chinese or any other investor that comes to our Great Republic of Zambia to do business with us, but there is everything wrong with our government when it comes to negotiating economic deals on behalf of the Zambian people. My advice to my fellow citizens is; don’t protest against the investors, we need them, but protest against our incompetent MMD government leadership that has failed us.
One thing my fellow citizens should realise is that, for as long as we have an incompetent government nagotiating team, these investors, Chinese or otherwise will continue to take full advantage of our natural resources due to our weakness in our negitiating abilities. What we need in the Zambian government is a professional and skillful negotiating team that will work and deliver in the interest of the Zambian people. Looking at the current trend in the mining and retail sector, I don’t think we have shuch a team. Talking about buying equipment to repair our run down road infrascture, we have the capacity to do that. How come we have the capacity to buy GXs every five years for the unproductive MPs. How come we have the capacity to increase the Ministers and MP’s salaries whenever they want to. How come we have the money to send govermnment officials, including those who pludered national coffers, for medical treatment abroad whenever they are “sick”.
The MMD government have lived its unproductive usefulness. The Zambian people need change for a better Zambia.
Robert Mwanza
USA Dallas, Texas.
While I appreciate Mr Mwanza’s comments on the MMD government being unproductive (which may be true in some aspects) and preaching change, what he is forgetting is that change just for sake of change will not help particularly if that change does not go with change in attitude of both people given an opportunity to serve in government and those outside. This, I think, is what we need for Zambia to develop. We saw what happened when Zambians went for change in 1991 it was a near disaster for the country. The government that took over that time abandoned planning, which is critical for any country that is serious about development. We are now back to planning with the Vision 2030 and FNDP in place, which are true milestones in the Zambian economic development and personally I appreacite this step that we have taken as a country. At least now we have a document to refer to and hold the political leadership accountable if development still does not come to Zambia. As a person who participated in the wide consultative process that took place in coming up with the Vision 2030 and FNDP, I congratulate the current political leadership for achieving this milestone. Of course, I do not agree with everything that the current political leadership is doing and this normal but if it does something that I believe will influence the country positively I think we should recognise that effort. In fact, I do not know who Mr Mwanza thinks can do better in leading the country right now from the among the opposition. If he has preference then he should share with all the Zambians and point out why he thinks his alternative can do a better job. I think by sharing with all of us he will be doing Zambia good than to simply to condemn the entire government, which, by the way includes the Legislature and Judiciary.
My suggestion is that we need a change in attitude and probably not so much a change in plitical leadership. This will help Zambia in the long run.
Osbert Sikazwe
Rolla, Missouri
Congratulations to mr Mwanza, and at the same time, asking him to give altenatives to answer mr Sikaswe who also I appreciate his comments. Also, I recognize that there is a good change in zambia if we think in years ago. Greetings to all zambians and those livig out. of zambia. Also, I woud like to say: looking on what is happening around the world, zambia is one of the best countries and Iam proud of it.
violet Ndumba
Europe, spain
Nazcarwoman, how can you say Chinese women are ugly. I’ve seen your profile and you’re a dog!! . No wodner you are so sensitive about the Chinese diet. But I guess you didn’t know that serving dog meat is illegal in China now. Malek975. Well then come meet some Chinese ladies. You won’t be single for long!Jacob151. You shouldn’t give up your values and soul for anyone! But so many American men have, and they haven’t had to go anywhere else to do it!