On October 24, 2014, reception marking 50th anniversary of establishment between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Zambia, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Zambia Embassy, was held in Beijing. Abulaiti Amudurexiti, Vice President of Eleventh CPPCC National Committee and President China-Africa Friendship Association, Lu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, H.E. Ms. Gertrude Kasuba Mwape, Zambia Ambassador in China attended celebration. Luo Tao, General manager of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co.,Ltd (CNMC) and Chairman of the Board of China Nonferrous Mining Corparation Limited(CNMCL), Zhang Keli, Party Secretary of CNMC, and Tao Xinghu, Deputy General Manager of CNMC and CEO of CNMCL was invited to attend the celebration.
A brief meeting was convened between Abulahat Amudurexiti, Ambassador Mwape and Mr. Luo Tao before the celebration. Abulahat Amudurexiti fondly recalled his attending of the "2011 China’s Bright Journey in Zambia" in April 2011 in Zambia. He noted that the events of “Bright Journey” launched by China-Africa Friendship Association are Chinese classic folk diplomacy, which conveys the sincere friendship between the peoples of China and Africa. Funded by the CNMC, the activities of "2011 China’s Bright Journey in Zambia" add glories to Sino-Zambia friendly cooperation. CNMC and CNMCL stand as exemplary of economic cooperation or social image in the foreign friendly cooperation in the "walking out" process.
Ambassador Mwape noted that Zambia and China are good brothers, good friends and good partners; and especially the huge investment by CNMC and CNMCL in Zambia helps the Zambian government to honor her commitments to the people, and makes tremendous contributions for the Zambian economy development and social progress. She wishes that on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, our two countries will enhance win-win cooperation of equality, friendship, and mutual benefit, and push forward bilateral friendly cooperative relations to a new height.
On the celebration ceremony, Lu Sishe and Ambassador Mwape recalled the 50-year friendship between China and Zambia in their speech. They said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, friendships between the two countries embrace healthy and smooth development under the co-cultivation of the leaders of China and Zambia with frequent high-level exchanges, strengthened political mutual trust, and mutual support in international affairs. Friendly exchanges between the two countries, both official and folk, have made considerable progress. Zambia will carry out mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries to push forward China-Zambia friendship.
In the warm applause, Mr. Luo Tao delivered a warm speech. He noted that CNMC rank 398 among the 2014 "World Top500". As one of the first and most successful enterprises that launch international cooperation in the Chinese Nonferrous Metals Industry, CNMC has business in more than 80 countries and regions, and has 79 overseas enterprises of all levels. Since the investment in Zambia 16 years ago, the great care and support from the leaders of China and Zambia governments has added a strong driving force for the development of enterprises. Sata Excellency, the President of Zambia, Scott Excellency, the Vice President and, as well as founding President Kaunda Excellency have placed high expectations in the investment of CNMC and CNMCL in Zambia, and met with people in charge of CNMC and CNMCL, and paid several visits to our headquarters. At present, CNMC has invested more than $ 2.6 billion in Zambia, with 14 funded enterprises, tax of nearly $ 300 million, providing 14,000 jobs and a variety of donors over 20 million US dollars. CNMC has been honored as "Best Interpreter of All-weather Friendship between Zambia and China." He said that CNMC and CNMCL will implement the important instructions by President Xi Jinping "with friendly heritage, advance the development of Sino-Zambian relations", and keep firm investment confidence in Zambia.
On the celebration, Abulahat Amudurexiti and Ambassador Mwape cut together the celebrating cake and unveiled the medals of 50th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Zambia and China.
Relevant departments’ responsible staff of CNMC and CNMCL attended the above activities.
Abulaiti Amudurexiti and Chairman of the Board of CNMCL Luo Tao Shake Hands
Chairman of the Board of CNMCL Luo Tao Delivered a speech
