By Scoop Reporter
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he yesterday held a very progressive telephone meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in which the two Heads of State conferred on the prospect of debt relief and cancellation.
President Lungu says this is in the light of reduced domestic revenues arising from the negative impact of COVID-19.
He says he and President Xi Jinping also agreed on the need to further enhance cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels, for the mutual benefit of the people of Zambia and China.
“On my own behalf and on behalf of our nation, I also conveyed our sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Xi Jinping, for China’s continued support to Zambia’s COVID-19 Response.
“Of importance too, during our telephone meeting, I also called for Debt Relief and Cancellation in light of reduced domestic revenues arising from the negative impact of COVID-19, as well as the competing needs for our country to secure adequate resources to effectively fight the pandemic and stimulate the economy,” President Lungu said.
He says with regard to COVID-19, they duo called for concerted global efforts and commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for its leadership and coordinating role in the global fight against COVID-19.
“President Xi Jinping and I also agreed on the need for Zambia and China to continue with the age-old tradition of working closely together to safeguard common interests, including on matters concerning the United Nations Security Council,” President Lungu said.
He says during the same telephone meeting, he reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the aspirations of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which has already yielded tangible benefits for Zambia through a number of developmental projects.
“In conclusion, but equally important, I reaffirmed Zambia’s continued support for the ‘One China Policy’, and applauded the introduction of the National Security Law that will ensure the long-term security and prosperity of Hong Kong,” he said.
