On August 15, 2014, the press conference for the golden jubilee of independence of Zambia and establishment of Sino-Zambia diplomatic relations was held in the Zambia Embassy in China. Sun Jialin, Vice President of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “CNMC”), attended the event on behalf of CNMC and delivered a speech.
The conference was begun with a video about a series of Chinese enterprises that make significant contributions to the economic development of Zambia. CNMC was the first enterprises shown in the video. A number of major investment projects and touching stories about the enterprise’s efforts to promote local economic and social development enabled the guests to fully share the concept and achievements, glory and dream of CNMC over its 16 years of presence in Zambia.
Mwape, Zambia Ambassador to China, attended the event and delivered a speech. She soulfully recalled the unshakable friendship between the peoples of the two countries and the sincere communication between older generations of leaders in Zambia and China. She expressed her gratitude to China for its selfless help to Zambia in its fight for national independence and to a large group of Chinese enterprises, including CNMC, for their important contributions to the economic and social development of Zambia. She indicated that the Sino-Zambia friendly and cooperative relations have developed considerably in recent years, with the political mutual trust and high-level exchanges constantly strengthened, the friendship between the two peoples deepened, and new vitality added to the traditional friendship of both the two countries and their peoples. She hoped that the two countries would continue to strengthen the governmental and non-governmental exchanges, writing a new chapter in the all-weather friendship of China and Zambia. In warm applause, Ambassador Mwape declared that the grand commemoration for the golden jubilee of independence of Zambia and establishment of Sino-Zambia diplomatic relations was officially opened.
Entrusted By President Luo Tao (Chairman of the Board of CNMCL) and Zhang Keli, Secretary of CPC Committee of CNMC, Vice President Sun Jialin gave a warm speech in which he introduced the investment and development of CNMC in Zambia, thanked the Zambia Embassy in China and governments at all levels from both China and Zambia for their strong support for CNMC, and highlighted the advantages of Zambia that are attractive to investors. He pointed out that CNMC was one of the earliest and most successful actors in the Chinese nonferrous metal industry to practice international cooperation and that CNMC has found Zambia a paradise for investment due to its political stability, sound legal system, peaceful and friendly people, rich mineral resources, beautiful natural environment, mild climate, the commitment of the Zambia government to economic prosperity and development, abundant business opportunities in mining, agriculture, industry, manufacturing, light industry and service industry, and great potential for market cooperation. At present, CNMC is taking Zambia as the core to radiate into south-central African countries for development. Following the requirement put forward by the leaders of the two countries to “carry forward the friendship and advance Sino-Zambia relations with the times”, CNMC will steadily promote investment cooperation in Zambia and make new greater contributions to driving Sino-Zambia friendly cooperation.
More than 30 Chinese and foreign news media, the Chinese government, and business representatives attended the press conference.
CNMC ranks the 398th of the “Fortune Global 500” and has businesses in more than 80 countries and regions. Zambia is one of the most important investment and development destinations for CNMC. Currently, CNMC has invested more than USD 2.6 billion in Zambia, operated 14 funded enterprises at all levels, paid taxes of nearly USD 300 million, provided 14,000 jobs, and made a variety of donations totaling more than USD 20 million. All of this has earned it a title of “Best Interpretation of Sino-Zambia All-weather Friendship”.
Ambassador Mwape Delivering A Speech
Vice President Sun Jialin Delivering A Speech
A Full View of the Press Conference
