Chinese Investment in Zambia

We noticed with grave concern that yesterday the News Diggers aired its documentary, Chinese Investment in Zambia – The Good, The Bad and The Dangerous, which deliberately downplays China’s contribution to Zambia’s economic and social development, while dwelling excessively on negative stories about China, including a number of criminal cases not even remotely related to Chinese investments, raising serious questions about the hidden motives behind it and the professional competence of its production team. We urge the relevant media house to act as a responsible player free of bias and correct its mistakes by covering Chinese investment stories in a more balanced, objective and fair manner.

China-Zambia cooperation has stood the test of time. China’s firm support for Zambia dated back to the years when the Zambian people fought for freedom against colonialism and imperialism. After independence of this country, China assisted in the construction of the TAZARA Railway despite enormous economic hardships at home. More than 50,000 Chinese engineers and workers travelled thousands of miles to join their African brothers and sisters in the creation of this Railway of Uhuru and Friendship. 61 years after the two countries established diplomatic ties, the traditional friendship between China and Zambia has been carefully nurtured and kept like a bottle of fine wine, growing in fragrance and savour over time. During President Hichilema’s state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping in September 2023, the relationship reached its best, when the two heads of state decided to upgrade it to a historic comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. Since then, we have seen more regular high-level exchanges, deepening political mutual trust and thriving practical cooperation across the board.

China-Zambia cooperation has stood the test of practice. In recent years, China businesses have constructed the new terminal of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, supporting Zambia’s efforts to transform into a regional aviation hub. The Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station, Itimpi Solar Power Station and Chisamba Photovoltaic Power Station are contributing to Zambia’s energy and economic security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion of the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital was completed ahead of schedule, benefiting tens of thousands of patients. The Mulungushi Conference Centre has become the first choice to hold international conferences in Zambia. Ongoing projects are also making good progress, including the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, the Mfuwe Airport, de-watering of the Luanshya Shaft 28 and the Kitumba Mine. At the recent 2025 ZDA Investment Conference, China, as the largest source of funding, also contributed the largest number of signed agreements, with six Chinese companies signing contracts with local partners worth $2.6 billion. Chinese projects can be found everywhere in Zambia, with high quality and considerable investments that are making real changes on the ground.

China-Zambia cooperation has stood the test of our people. While increasing their investment in Zambia, Chinese businesses bear in mind the importance of shouldering their social responsibilities. The local Chinese community never hesitated to make donations in cash and kind when cholera, drought, pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances hit Zambia. China has dispatched 26 batches of medical teams and 28 batches of military medical teams to support Zambia for the health and well-being of its people. The Chinese Shaolin Temple shelters and trains more than 100 orphans and children from poor families by offering opportunities and hope. Chinese cultural groups actively take part in various local events, such as the Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show and culture festivals, offering a variety of new experience to local cultural life while helping increase mutual understanding and friendship.

We believe that the contribution of Chinese investment is visible to all, and the support for China-Zambia friendship has become the mainstream. This cannot be obliterated by any biased and distorted news stories. On the documentary itself and the debate around it, three points need to be made clear.

First, China respects the freedom of press and speech. Meanwhile, journalists and media houses should uphold professional integrity and ethics and make sure that news coverage is done in an objective, balanced and just manner, rather than an out-of-context and distorted approach or even malicious sensationalization for public attention or personal gains. We oppose any acts against journalistic professional ethics, oppose attempts to discredit China-Zambia cooperation under the pretext of the freedom of press, and oppose bias and conspiracy theory of presumption of guilt against China. We support the just act by the Chinese community in Zambia to protect their reputation and legitimate rights and interests. We urge the relevant media house to respect the right of reputation, portrait and other legitimate rights of Chinese investors and citizens, stop looking at China-related topics through tinted glasses and cover Chinese investment stories in an objective and practical manner without abusing media rights and freedoms granted by the Constitution.

Second, China adopts a zero-tolerance stance against illegal and criminal acts. The Embassy has always urged Chinese citizens and businesses in Zambia to comply and operate in accordance with the legislation and regulations of Zambia. Occasional individual cases do not reflect the larger picture of win-win partnership, and cannot disrupt and undermine the overall trend of fruitful China-Zambia cooperation. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the government, media houses and different sector of this country in a responsible attitude to benefit the two peoples, and welcomes oversight from all parties in accordance with law.

Third, China calls upon all sectors in Zambia to jointly protect the outcomes of China-Zambia cooperation painstakingly accumulated over the past six decades and more. Mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit are the defining features of this partnership, and Chinese investments in Zambia serve the common interests of the two countries and their peoples. We are confident that any attempt to slander or discredit Chinese investments have no market among the Zambian people and will get nowhere. In the meantime, as enthusiastic investors in Zambia, Chinese businesses expect to be welcomed with the due respect and appreciation they deserve.