——Notes from the Xiamen-Zambia Trade Seminar
World Headlines: Chen Zhen (President of Xiamen Economic Development Research Association), Li Wenqi, Lin Bingbin Reporting from Xiamen
In May, on the beautiful island of Egret, the sea breeze is gentle, and the kapok trees are in full bloom. On May 19, a high-profile seminar focusing on economic and trade cooperation between China and Zambia was held in Xiamen. Dr. Daniel Mufula Shimuza, Consul General of the Republic of Zambia in Guangzhou, led a delegation to Xiamen to discuss new opportunities for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative with over thirty local entrepreneurs. World Headlines reporters Li Wenqi and Lin Bingbin were invited to attend and provide full coverage.
The seminar was jointly hosted by the Xiamen Economic and Trade Promotion Association and the Consulate General of Zambia in Guangzhou, with co-sponsorship from the Hubei Shiyan Chamber of Commerce in Fujian Province, the Xiamen New Social Class Federation, and the Xiamen Economic Development Research Association, and organized by Zhongchuang Tengrui Construction Co., Ltd. The Business Consul of the Zambian Consulate in Guangzhou, Ms. Manda, and Business Assistant Xu Zhanping also attended.
Mutual Benefits of Resource Endowments and Industrial Advantages
A promotional video about Zambia was played during the seminar, showcasing this country located in Central and Southern Africa—its rich mineral resources, the magnificent Victoria Falls, and its stable and improving political and economic environment were all presented to the attendees.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Shimuza systematically introduced Zambia’s investment environment and industrial planning. He pointed out that Zambia ranks among the top in Africa for mineral reserves, has enormous agricultural potential, and vast space for renewable energy development. The country has always adhered to an open and inclusive investment promotion philosophy, providing multiple guarantees for foreign enterprises in terms of tax reductions, land use, and industrial support. “We sincerely welcome quality enterprises from Xiamen to enter, invest in, and deepen their engagement in Zambia.” His invitation received warm applause from the audience.
When discussing his impressions of China, the Consul General did not hide his admiration. He candidly stated that China’s development achievements are evident, and the practical qualities and professional standards of Chinese enterprises are well recognized in Zambia. “I hope this seminar serves as a starting point for our deep friendship to truly transform into practical cooperation results.”
The ‘Going Global’ Inquiry of Xiamen Enterprises
Ke Chongrong, President of the Xiamen Economic and Trade Promotion Association, stated in his speech that the seminar originated from the increasingly strong desire of member enterprises to go global. “Xiamen’s manufacturing, new energy, and infrastructure enterprises are strong and eager to expand overseas; Zambia is rich in resources and has a unique location, highly complementary to Xiamen’s industrial chain. This is a natural encounter.”
He urged participating enterprises to seize the official connection window, “to go global together and collaborate,” avoiding the risks of going it alone. Ding Weijie, Secretary-General of the Promotion Association, revealed during the meeting that the association will continue to provide two-way services, ensuring that the connection work is practical, detailed, and well-executed.
Professor Zhao Bei, Supervisor of the Xiamen Economic and Trade Promotion Association and PhD supervisor at Xiamen University, built a bridge for unobstructed communication at the scene with her fluent bilingual skills. This scholar, who has visited Africa multiple times for research, analyzed the development trends of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation from the perspective of the Belt and Road Initiative.
“Cooperation between China and Zambia should not be limited to simple trade exchanges,” Professor Zhao emphasized. “We need to focus on the long term, promote the deep co-construction of the entire industrial chain, and keep the added value of the industry local to achieve sustainable and high-quality bilateral cooperation.” She also suggested organizing joint teams of scholars and entrepreneurs to visit Zambia for on-site inspections, leveraging the advantages of industry-academia-research integration to promote deeper and more practical cooperation.
The Platform Power of Co-sponsoring Units
Zhang Wanlin, President of the Hubei Shiyan Chamber of Commerce in Fujian Province, stated that the chamber will fully leverage its platform advantages to promote precise connections between member enterprises in the construction materials, energy, and commerce sectors with the Zambian market. “China-Africa cooperation is a major trend; we must respond to national strategies while finding real business opportunities for enterprises.”
The President of the Xiamen Economic Development Research Association, Chen Zhen, shared insights on Xiamen’s foreign trade landscape from a think tank perspective and suggested pathways for cross-border cooperation.
Collaboration Prototype in Corporate Roadshow
The corporate roadshow segment of the seminar was lively. The speech by Wen Dan, Executive President of the Xiamen Economic and Trade Promotion Association and Chairman of Zhongchuang Tengrui Construction Co., Ltd., drew significant attention from attendees.
Zhongchuang Tengrui has been deeply involved in municipal water services, urban and rural water supply, electromechanical automation, and operation training for many years, possessing full-chain service capabilities. Wen Dan creatively proposed an integrated cooperation model of “electricity + water services + electromechanical automation + operation training” based on the real needs of Zambia’s infrastructure construction. “We not only need to build projects but also cultivate local talents to ensure that infrastructure truly ‘comes alive’ locally.” Her statement received immediate recognition from Dr. Shimuenzha.
Chen Fei, head of the International Business Department of Fujian Snickers Investment Co., Ltd., presented an overseas expansion plan for the footwear industry. This company, which serves the supply chain of internationally renowned brands and has mature cross-border export experience, announced its plans for expanding into the Southern African market, hoping to achieve practical cooperation through this event.
Art as a Bridge, Culture as a Force
The cultural gifting segment of the seminar added warmth to the otherwise tight schedule. President Ke Chongrong solemnly presented his modern engraving work “Rice and Grain” to Dr. Shimuenzha. The piece, themed on rice and grain, symbolizes harvest, abundance, and vibrant vitality, carrying the beautiful wish for the two countries to promote development and maintain lasting friendship.
Subsequently, renowned Xiamen oil painter Chen Minggong presented a painting titled “Scenery of Gulangyu” to the Consul General. The painting features a gentle sea breeze and red-tiled roofs, vividly depicting the charm of Gulangyu Island. Dr. Shimuenzha expressed his gratitude multiple times upon receiving the artwork, stating that it would be one of his most treasured collections in his study.
Afternoon Discussions: Directly Addressing Practical Matters
If the morning discussions were “theoretical,” then the afternoon roundtable deep exchanges were “practical.” The Zambian consulate delegation engaged in non-formal dialogues with representatives from key Xiamen enterprises like King Long Bus, discussing key topics such as project implementation details, industry standard alignment, business inspection arrangements, and industrial cooperation models.
World Headlines reporters observed on-site that several cooperation directions had reached preliminary implementation plans. One participating company representative revealed to reporters after the meeting, “In the past, we had many misconceptions about the African market. Today’s dialogue has allowed us to see the real Zambia and a clear path for cooperation.”
Looking Ahead: From Communication to Implementation
This event achieved multiple outcomes through a pragmatic format of “morning discussions to build consensus, afternoon roundtable deep talks to set direction,” facilitating policy communication, industry alignment, enterprise interaction, and mutual understanding. Against the backdrop of the ongoing China-Zambia Cooperation Forum and the Belt and Road Initiative, precise local connections are becoming a key support for the implementation of China-Zambia economic and trade cooperation.
Lin Bingbin, Chen Zhen, Lin Xinyu, Business Consul of Zambia in Guangzhou, Misaiah Manda, Li Wenqi
The Xiamen Economic and Trade Promotion Association stated that it will continue to follow up on the cooperation consensus reached at this seminar, promote the implementation of intended projects one by one, and regularly build a platform for China-Zambia economic and trade exchanges. From Gulangyu Island to the Copper Mine Nation, a cooperative bond woven together by enterprises, chambers of commerce, consulates, and think tanks is quietly extending.
(World Headlines Chen Zhen, Li Wenqi, Lin Bingbin Xiamen Joint Report)
