We will work for better solution of Zambia's debt issues

“Wisdom dictates that China cannot and is not to be ignored! We have said this before and are saying it again!” – Chishala Kateka.

Beijing, May 19 [Reuters] – China has always taken Zambia’s debt issues seriously and will jointly work for a better solution, the Chinese foreign Ministry said, today, Friday the 19th.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at a regular news briefing when answering a question regarding Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema saying he wants to meet with President Xi Jinping to get Zambia’s debt restructuring done.

President Hakainde Hichilema has been widely condemned for being seen to aligned with the US over debt restructuring when the one with the biggest say is China.

Also Read: This is a wrong time to align Zambia with the US with a changing geopolitical landscape.

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And in Lusaka, Zambia, leader of the opposition New Heritage Party, Chishala Kateka recently said that her 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,” read her statement, in part.

“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 a 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!” she advised.

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