China Stands With HH, Pledges Deeper Cooperation On TAZARA And Trade

Chinese President Xi Jinping has commended President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for national unity and commitment to improving people’s wellbeing, pledging continued Chinese support for Zambia’s development agenda as the two countries move to accelerate work on the Tanzania-Zambia Railway corridor.

President Xi conveyed the message through his special envoy, Xian Hui, vice-chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, who called on President Hichilema at Community House on Wednesday.

She said President Hichilema’s inauguration speech on Tuesday was “very good,” particularly his emphasis on peace, development, people’s wellbeing and the One Zambia, One Nation motto.

Xian said China will continue supporting Zambia’s development and attaches great importance to the long-standing friendship between the two countries, which was established during the leadership of Zambia’s founding President Kenneth Kaunda and China’s Mao Zedong.

President Hichilema echoed that history in a Facebook post following the meeting, describing the relationship as one “forged by our founding fathers, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Chairman Mao Zedong.” He conveyed his gratitude to President Xi for sending a special envoy to attend his inauguration.

President Xi said the TAZARA line is another symbol of the historic friendship between China and African countries, and that the Chinese government is pleased with the launch of the TAZARA revitalisation project and will continue supporting the initiative. In September 2025, Zambia, Tanzania and China signed a US$1.4 billion agreement to revitalise TAZARA and enhance regional connectivity.

President Xi said he had also met Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and exchanged views on the railway project, expressing satisfaction with the progress being made. He commended President Hichilema for his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations through visits to China in 2023 and 2024, and congratulated him on his re-election, saying the outcome demonstrates the trust Zambians have placed in his leadership.

President Hichilema reaffirmed government’s commitment to accelerating work on the revitalised TAZARA corridor, calling for increased investment from China and other cooperating partners. He said that, following his inauguration, attention should now shift towards expediting the implementation of the TAZARA project and unlocking its wider economic potential.

He said the project should not be viewed simply as a railway line but as a transport and growth corridor capable of stimulating economic activity and opening up new investment opportunities. In his Facebook post, the President put it directly: “With our renewed mandate, we have reaffirmed our commitment to accelerate work on the Tanzania–Zambia Railway (TAZARA) corridor. We are committed to facilitating trade and growing the businesses that move along it.”

He added that foreign trade diplomacy remains central to the Grow Zambia agenda.

President Hichilema said Zambia wants to see increased Chinese investment not only in railway infrastructure but also in businesses and industries along the corridor. He said the country is satisfied with progress made so far on the TAZARA revitalisation and investments in the mining sector, but believes more can be achieved. The President asked Xian to convey to President Xi his desire for greater momentum in developing the corridor.

The trade relationship, both sides noted, is already delivering measurable results. President Hichilema said in his Facebook post that through recently enhanced cooperation, exports to China have doubled over the past five years to a record US$4.2 billion.

President Hichilema also pointed to cooperation in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar energy development, as a further area of growing partnership. He said the TAZARA revitalisation project was among the areas of cooperation discussed with President Xi during his State visit to China in 2023.

“The TAZARA is part of the culmination of what we discussed with President Xi during our State visit to China in 2023, and we would like to see more traction on the project in terms of it being accelerated and expedited. Yes, a lot of work has been done, but we can certainly do more,” the President said.

He also said Zambia valued China’s cooperation in the mining sector, where investors such as CNMC were expanding operations in the country.

President Hichilema reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Zambia-China relations and expanding cooperation in sectors such as mining and energy. He said engagements with various Chinese provinces have demonstrated significant improvements in bilateral relations, particularly in the energy sector, including solar power.

The President stressed that foreign trade diplomacy remains central to the country’s growth agenda, as government seeks to attract investments and expand economic opportunities. He also expressed gratitude to President Xi for sending a special envoy to attend his inauguration, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the importance China attaches to its relationship with Zambia.