Wisdom dictates that China cannot and is not to be ignored! We have said this before and are saying it again – the President needs to eat humble pie and go and engage the Chinese, in person.
By Chishala Kateka | NHP President.
Lusaka, April 27 – We have been told that the IMF is the only route out of our present economic predicament and this, in spite of the many voices, including ours as New Heritage Party, against the taking of that route.
The IMF have placed, as one of the conditionalities, the attainment of a debt restructuring agreement with Zambia’s lenders, which includes China – the single largest lender.
We have now resigned ourselves to accepting the route that has been outlined for us. In addition, having been informed by the Minister of Finance on a number of occasions, that there is no Plan B to this route, we have now also accepted that.
With the nation having been placed in that straight jacket, it has been noted that the process to the country’s debt resolution has not been well managed by the Government.
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The New Heritage Party as well as various stakeholders, have advised the Government to engage the Chinese, in a bid to smoothen and hasten the debt restructuring process. The Government, at the highest level, has been engaging with the West and have travelled to Washington on a number of occasions but have not once taken a single trip to Beijing to engage the Chinese.
This is tantamount to a snub. One that we can ill afford to continue. China has been an all weather friend to our country, since before we got our independence. China did not play the double standards of supporting our enemies that the West did, but firmly stood with us during the liberation wars. China’s assistance to Zambia, such as the Tazara Railway, is measurable and very evident. Above all else, China treats Zambia as a partner, rather than as a subordinate to be dictated to.
Wisdom dictates that China cannot and is not to be ignored! We have said this before and are saying it again – the President needs to eat humble pie and go and engage the Chinese, in person.
We need a resolution to the issues affecting the nation to alleviate the sufferings of our people. We must not let the pride of the President in this matter, get in the way!
But we now know President Hichilema, he is most likely, quietly (because he does not want to be seen as having been advised and now having to eat humble pie) already engaging the Chinese and before we know it, will soon be making that trip to Beijing.
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Putting news into perspective
Truth appears to be ignored and at times labeled a lie. But we know who has been lying to the Zambian people and pretending to be a messiah when in fact not. Zambia is bigger than the pride of funny individuals.