The Rt Hon Justice Dr Patrick Matibini, SC, MP, FCIArb, Speaker of the National Assembly has reiterate that Zambia and China have continued to enjoy warm bilateral relations from the pre-colonial era. He said this when His Excellency Ambassador Li Jie, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia paid a courtsey call on him on Wednesday, 25th July, 2018 at Parliament Buildings, Lusaka.

Speaker Matibini told Ambassador Li that the strong bilateral relations that Zambia had enjoyed relations with the Peoples Republic of China can be noted in the support that Chain has continued to offer Zambia in areas of infrustructure development, provision of scholarships to Zambian students and in exchange visits.

Dr Matibini recalled when his counterpart H.E Zhang Dejiang paid a courtesy call on him during the 134th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and Related Meetings that Zambia hosted in March, 2016 in Lusaka. In addition, the Speaker mentioned that he had lead a reciprocal visit to China on 6th to 13th May, 2017. The Speaker stated that exchange visits were important as they provided an opportunity for exchanging views on best parliamentary practises.

Dr Matibini, therefore, noted that there was need for futher exchange visits among leaders espeacially Members of Parliament in order to expose them to other legislative systems and to enable them share knowledge and skills on the best legislative practices with their counterparts.

In response, Ambassador Li reaffirmed China’s bilateral cooperation to the Zambian Parliament and was forward looking to working with National Assembly of Zambia. Ambassador Li, agreed that there was need for continued exchange visits with a view of considering projects for possible implementation in Zambia. He mentioned that one project that could be considered was the project on digital migrattion and solar programmes the Chinese Government is currently undertaking in rural areas.

Additionally, Ambassador Li further also noted that there was alot that China could also learn from Zambia during the exchange visits as Zambia’s governance and democracy was admirable and China therefore, had much to learn from thier counterparts.

Ambassador Li is the new Chinese Ambassador who has taken over His Excellency Ambassador Yang Youming from whose mission came to an end in April 2018.