CHINESE VICE-PRESIDENT VISITS ZAMBIAN TEACHER CHINESE Vice-President Li Yuanchao yesterday said his impression of Zambia during his visit was very positive. Vice-President Li, who spoke through Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxio, said this shortly after he visited the family of a teacher of David Kaunda Technical School who reside in the teachers compound. Vice-President Li said the purpose of his visit to January and Sandra Mkandawires home was to acquaint himself and his delegation with the way of life of an average Zambian family. Vice-President Li, who at intervals spoke a little English, asked Mkandawire among other things how much he earned monthly from his job and other income-generating activities. He also asked him whether he had debt as well as what his daily expenditure was, including fees for his children, and foodstuffs. What is your salary? Vice-President Li asked Mkandawire. Mkandawire, a father of four, told Vice-President Li that he earns K2,000 every month after several deductions which went to Pay As You Earn (PAYE), a loan acquired from a commercial bank towards the purchase of a piece of land, and rentals. Vice-President Li further asked Mkandawire whether his salary was progressing from the time he started work. Mkandawire, however, said he could not remember how much his first salary was when he started work in1999. The salary has been increasing but I cannot say I am comfortable. It is still low, he responded. Vice-President Li then asked Mkandawire: The PF promised to double salaries. Did that happen? Mkandawire responded in the affirmative saying, Yes, by 100 per cent. Mkandawire said he wanted to raise money for his first-born daughter Beverly, who wanted to study social work at the university, but that this would not be possible because his income was low. The visiting Vice-President then invited Beverly to apply for a scholarship from the Chinese government to study in China if she met the qualifications. Mkandawire also sent the Chinese delegation into laughter when Vice-President Li asked him whether he had any understanding about a Chinese decoration hanging in his living room. Mkandawire said the decoration was a charm for good luck. Vice-President Li then explained that the decoration was an emblem of a Chinese character of happiness. In an interview, Mkandawire described Vice-President Lis visit as a big honour. I am very happy, this is a once-in-a-life time opportunity. I will never have such kind of opportunity with him. I am really blessed. I have enjoyed my short stay with him. Although I do not understand Chinese, at least there was someone to interpret, he said. The Mkandawire family received some gifts from the visiting Chinese delegation. And speaking during the Photographic Exhibition on China-Zambia 50 years Cooperation, Vice-President Li hoped that the strong ties between the two countries would deepen beyond 50 years. And Vice-President Li says declining incidences of industrial unrest between Chinese and Zambian labourers are expected to spur more Chinese private investment into Zambia. He said China was refocusing its strategy for Africa by encouraging more private Chinese businesses to invest in the continent unlike the current trend where the bulk of foreign direct investment was driven by state-owned enterprises. We will encourage private business of China to come to Zambia for investments, Vice-President Li Yuanchao told journalists on Thursday. Most African countries are exercising market economy and the private businesses are the most active. So, we hope that we will encourage more private businesses to come to Zambia for investment just like the state-owned-enterprises. In this process, we will need mutual understanding and mutual adaptation so that our cooperation will become mature, friendly, reciprocal and win-win. Vice-President Li Yuanchao said Chinese investment in Zambia currently estimated at US$2.6 billion was expected to be spurred by increasing acceptability of the Chinese by Zambians. The decrease of labour disputes shows the decrease of growing pains and shows our relationships are getting mature, he said. I think this will encourage the Chinese businesses, especially the private businesses to come to make investments in Zambia. I believe in the next five years, there will be more and more Chinese businesses coming to Zambia to make investments. And Vice-President Li Yuanchao said China would continue helping African states as much as it could although it also faced challenges of a developing country with low income-per-capita ratios. One of reasons for the growing pains is that our African friends have overestimated Chinas capacities and sometimes have too much high expectations for us, Vice-President Li Yuanchao said. As a matter of fact, China is still a developing country although we have seen rapid development in recent years, the per capita GDP in China is still very low. Of course, China is developing faster than some African countries, so we think we have the responsibility and we should help our Africa friends. We would like to the best of our ability to help African countries to realise development. Vice-President Li Yuanchao said China would continue to help increase Africa undertake its development trajectory independently. For example, at the Heroes National Stadium, the Chinese have not only helped local workers in technological training in completing the project but also helped to train local workers in skills in the process, said Vice-President Li Yuanchao. I can see that here the Zambian workers have not only increased their skills in construction but also in their language skills. Many of them can speak simple Chinese.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 10:01:06 +0000
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