Zou Lei Meets Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema
Witnessing the MoU Signing;Enhancing Practical Cooperation in Energy and Power Sector;
Driving Sustainable?Economical and Social Development of Zambia
Zou Lei, Chairman of China Datang, held talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema at China Datang's headquarters on September 6. Hichilema was in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held from September 4 to 6. During the talks, Zou and Hichilema engaged in discussions on further deepening practical cooperation and witnessed and addressed the MoU singning ceremony between China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. and ZESCO Limited.
Also present at the meeting were Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing; Zhang Chuanjiang, President of China Datang,Yu Bo, Director of the Board, Li Jianwei and Wang Haiteng, Vice Presidents of China Datang; Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote, Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali; Zambian Ambassador to China Ivan Zyuulu.
Before their talks, the Zambian delegation led by Hichilema visited the production dispatching center of China Datang, where they watched the video themed on China Datang's green and low-carbon development and were introduced to the real-time monitoring, remote optimization, online diagnosis, and emergency command capabilities of the center.
During the talks, Hichilema first expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from China Datang.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zambia and China, and the cooperation between the two countries is growing stronger in various fields, he said, adding that the ten partnership actions for China-Africa Modernization announced by President Xi Jinping at the summit is of great importance to Zambia.
Highlighting that China Datang is a mega group in the energy sector, Hichilema hoped that China Datang will make full use of its expertise in energy and power technology, operations, and management to strengthen friendly cooperation with Zambia in areas such as solar power, wind energy, clean coal, and distributed energy within the framework of the FOCAC Summit.
He also called on China Datang to increase investments across various sectors, and create more job opportunities, thus contributing to alleviating Zambia's energy shortages, and driving Zambia's sustainable economic and social development.
The Zambian government is committed to providing support and services to facilitate China Datang's investments in Zambia, further boosting the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Hichilema said.
For Zou’s part, he welcomed President Hichilema and the delegation he led, and expressed gratitude to the Zambian government and ZESCO Limited for their trust and support towards China Datang.
Over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia, the enduring friendship between the two countries has grown stronger, Zou said, noting that the important consensus and strategic initiatives reached by President Xi and President Hichilema provide a solid foundation for cooperation between Chinese and Zambian businesses, contributing to the economic and social development of Zambia.
He emphasized that China Datang highly values the longstanding friendship between China and Zambia, and will be fully aligned with the ten partnership actions for China-Africa modernization.
China Datang will also earnestly implement the important agreements of the two state leaders, actively advance cooperation in the energy and power sector, and expand exchanges in talent, technology, and innovation.
With efforts focused on initiatives for energy and power innovation, green power development, public welfare responsibilities, and talent exchange and development(China Datang’s four initiatives in Zambia), China Datang is ready to make contribution to mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, and further strengthening the friendship between China and Zambia, according to Zou.
After the talks, Zou and Hichilema witnessed the signing of the MoU between China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. and ZESCO Limited.
While addressing the signing ceremony, Hichilema emphasized in his speech that the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia presents an opportunity for Zambia's development.
He expressed his hope that through collaboration with China Datang, Zambia can shift from a single energy structure to a more diverse one, ensuring energy security for the country.
The signing of the MoU is a tangible step towards realizing President Xi Jinping's ten partnership actions for China-Africa modernization and is set to drive significant achievements in energy and power cooperation between Zambia and China, elevating Africa-China relationship to new heights, Hichilema said.
Zou, in his address, highlighted the abundant opportunities in Africa and underscored the important role of enterprises for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Zambia, serving as a vital force in advancing modernization.
Calling the signing of the MoU a joint effort to implement the consensus reached by President Xi and President Hichilema, Zou said it marks a fresh beginning for fostering win-win cooperation in energy and power between China and Zambia.
China Datang will execute cooperation projects to the highest standards, advance four initiatives with high quality, and deepen practical collaboration across all fronts, so as to provide clean energy for Zambia's economic and social progress and to light up better lives of the Zambian people.
According to the MoU, China Datang will invest in and construct 220 MW of new energy projects with high quality and efficiency.
Other executives from relevant departments of China Datang and China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. as well as Zambian officials from the Zambian government and ZESCO Limited also attended the above activities.
Read More：Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema posted his visit to China Datang on both Facebook and X.
