Zambia

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the friendly and cooperative relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Zambia continued to grow rapidly, with steady progress in practical cooperation in multiple areas.

The two countries enhanced their political trust as a result of the frequent exchange of high-level visits. In March, Zambian President Michael Chilufya Sata sent a congratulatory letter to Xi Jinping on his election as the Chinese President. In April, President Sata paid a state visit to China and attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013. He had talks with President Xi Jinping and met with Premier Li Keqiang and CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng. The two sides signed six agreements covering the areas of economy, culture and financing. In January, Zambian Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkandu Luo headed a delegation of 14 vice-ministerial level Zambian officials to the second ministerial workshop hosted by China for Zambia. In 2013, many vice-ministerial level Zambian officials visited China for either private purposes or attending meetings. In February,Vice Minister of Land and Resources Wang Min visited Zambia. In December, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei visited Zambia.

The mutually beneficial business cooperation between the two countries expanded rapidly and yielded fruitful results. China, which is Zambia's third largest trading partner, increased its investment in various sectors in Zambia. Over 500 Chinese-invested enterprises operated in Zambia, covering such areas as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure development. China provided financing support to major projects in Zambia such as the upgrading of Mbala-Nakonde road and Mansa-Luwingu road and the expansion of Lusaka International Airport. Positive progress was made in the development of the Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone. The Zambia-related cooperation projects under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) were implemented smoothly.

Exchanges and cooperation in culture and party affairs and between local governments were conducted in an orderly way. In January, a Chinese delegation visited Zambia to inspect the commemorative facilities for Chinese martyrs and paid tribute to the martyrs. In May, a delegation of Zambia's Patriotic Front visited China. In July, Executive Deputy Governor of Hainan Province Tan Li visited Zambia. In November, a Zambian chief delegation visited China upon invitation.