Delegation of Zambian Chiefs Extols Africa-China and Zambia-China Friendship

Chiefs are traditional leaders in Zambia. Among the country’s 73 tribes， there are altogether four paramount chiefs， 48 senior chiefs and 286 chiefs. These people， who inherit their title through the maternal line， play an important and special role in Zambia’s political， economic and social life and have the respect of people from all walks of life.

At the invitation of the CPAFFC， a delegation composed of six chiefs and headed by Chief Mwata Kashiba， former Zambian Ambassador to China and a member of the House of Chiefs and the National Constitutional Conference， visited Beijing， Guilin and Shenzhen from November 10 to 17， 2009.

They met with CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku， paid an official call on the Development Research Center of the State Council where they listened to a briefing about China’s basic national conditions， and attended the 2nd China-Africa Friendship Awards Ceremony and the reception in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia. The delegation also visited Longsheng Multi-Ethnic Autonomous County and the Shenzhen Museum， where they learned about China’s policy on ethnic affairs， construction of new rural areas and achievements since the reform and opening up.

Speaking highly of Africa-China and Zambia-China friendship. Chief Mwata Kashiba said that， both in the struggle for national independence in the past， and in the construction of a modernized country at present， China had always given huge support and enormous aid to African， and particularly to the Zambian people.Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda， Chairman Mao Zedong and other leaders of the older generation of the two countries laid a solid foundation for Africa-China friendship. The TAZARA Railway not only symbolizes China-Africa friendship， but also plays an important role in promoting the development of African economy. In the past 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations， bilateral relations had experienced smooth development and bilateral cooperation in various fields increasingly deepened. Friendship between the two peoples also continued to be enhanced， and the visit of the chiefs’ delegation fully demonstrated this. He hoped that， through concerted efforts on both sides， the friendship between the two peoples would continue to grow.

Praising China’s achievements in development.Chief Mwata Kashiba said on many occasions that， though he served as Zambian Ambassador to China only 10 years ago， when he returned to China this time， it seemed to him it was his first visit. Tremendous changes have taken place in everything. Other members were also amazed at the achievements China had made in a short period of several decades. They said， China’s rapid economic development cannot be achieved in isolation of the unity， peace and stability of the country. They felt governments at various levels were all very competent in administration and the working staff conscientiously enforced the laws and regulations， while the ordinary people respected the government and voluntarily implemented government policies. During their visit to the Longji Terraced Field， when they saw how the villagers overcame all kinds of difficulties and made use of every inch of land on the steep slopes of high mountains， they were deeply moved and realized that the Chinese people’s industry and courage are an important reason for China’s economic boom.

Earnestly learning from China’s experience in development. The chiefs all said that， after returning home， they would inform the local government officials in their chiefdoms about what they had seen and heard in China and suggest that they come to China to learn experience in urban planning， teach their people to work hard and learn from the Chinese people how to make use of every inch of land， or raise the utilization rate of farmland or develop tourist resources in light of local conditions.

After visiting Guilin， Senior Chief Shakumbila said that a city in his chiefdom had abundant tourist resources such as limestone caves similar to the Reed Flute Cave， rare animals， etc. that had not yet been developed. After returning home， he would lead a delegation composed of chief officials of the local government to visit Guilin as early as possible to make an in-depth investigation and study on development of tourist resources， urban planning and other fields and learn the city’s experiences. He also hoped through the visit to promote the local government of his chiefdom to establish friendship-city ties with Guilin.

Following the visit to the Shenzhen Museum， Chieftainess Makembeka said， she was deeply impressed by the way Chinese people valued and protected their history and tradition. After returning home， she would follow the example of the Shenzhen Museum and collect data about the history and culture of her own chiefdom so as to introduce the course of its development to visitors and the decedents.

Fully affirming the CPAFFC’s work.Through the week-long visit， the chiefs got to know more about the content of the CPAFFC’s work and were deeply impressed by its mode of maintaining and developing friendship between the people of China and other countries. They hoped to continue to keep contacts with the CPAFFC， expressed their willingness to carry out all kinds of activities to publicize China and welcomed the CPAFFC to hold Chinese art exhibitions and send art groups to their chiefdoms. After attending the 2nd China-Africa Friendship Awards Ceremony， the chiefs said that winners truly deserved the prize and set an example for the African and Chinese people to learn from. They said that they themselves also got inspiration and were willing to work for promoting friendship between the African and Chinese people and hoped one day they would also receive this honor.