President Sata arrives in Beijing tonight for a state visit which has been combined with the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), one of Asia’s leading regional economic fora, slated for Sanya.
According to a programme from the Zambian embassy in Beijing, the president will arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport at 22.20 hours (Chinese time).
In Sanya, he will be met by senior Chinese government officials at Sanya Phoenix International Airport.
On Saturday, President Sata will be welcomed by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and both Presidents will jointly inspect a guard of honour.
President Sata will hold talks with Mr Xi, after which he will witness the signing of bilateral agreements by Zambian and Chinese ministers.
The following day, the president will travel to Boao on special speed train for the Boao Forum where he will deliver a keynote speech at the sub –forum Africa: Rise of an Ancient Continent.
The president’s speech is likely to focus on Chinese investment in Zambia and trade between the two countries.
The president will likely also discuss Chinese investment in Africa, trade between China and Africa, and how Africa can maximise benefits from its abundant natural resources.
After the Boao Forum, the President will proceed to Shenzen to meet government officials to discuss economic zones.
Shenzen has experienced rapid economic development which has transformed it from a small fishing village to one of China’s leading industrial hubs.
From Shenzen, President Sata will proceed to Beijing for further bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Le Kequiang and chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng.
Zambia is currently planning to establish industrial clusters in all the provinces.
President Sata will wind up the visit with an address to the Zambian community in China at the Zambian embassy and the Zambia-China Economic and Investment Forum.
The Boao forum is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in the region and the world at large.
The forum, which aims at promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries towards a common developmental agenda, is modeled after the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland.
The theme of the forum, which will be held from 6th to 8th April, is “Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Co-operation.”
President Sata and Algerian President Abdul Kader Bensallah are the only two African leaders attending the forum.
As Zambia’s chief diplomat, President Sata’s visit is anticipated to yield significant benefits through the bilateral agreements that will be signed.
Source: Zambia Daily Mail
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