LETTERS - Development, China

Economic development
By Vincent Syanungu
Friday November 02, 2007 [03:00]

The state of our nation is a crisis. Only about 14 per cent are feeling the effects of this so-called economic development and these are the only people driving the economy. About 86 per cent of Zambians are impoverished and the government does not have any policies or plans to help reach the poor in the country.

The new deal government is focusing too much on economic development like reducing inflation rate to 5 per cent and increasing GDP to 7 per cent but they are not addressing the real issues affecting the poor people.

The government should come up with strategic plans to integrate the poor in the development of our country.

Neglecting of poor people has led to loss of trust and confidence in the current government.

The government should understand that what is dragging our economy backwards is the biggest base of poor people. I urge the President to help the poor like those from Mazyopa compound.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=33464

Chinese global trade
By Dr Chewe Chabatama USA
Saturday November 03, 2007 [03:00]

I have been following the debate raging on the Chinese investors in Zambia, and it appears Zambians have not been following the debate on the shifting Chinese global trade activities from the developed world to the poor nations in Africa such as Zambia.

There has been ongoing interest in the US on why China has suddenly decided to shift to Africa. And this is an area I feel Zambians and Africans should try to come to grips with, not name-calling, insults and intimidation from Mpombo.

Why has China suddenly become Africa-friendly in trade? The Zambian government and other African governments are supposed to ask themselves this question and find an answer. We have "experts" in the Zambian government who are well paid to monitor things of this nature. But given the mediocrity of our Zambian and African politicians, they cannot discern this. And if they knew, they would not want to talk about it because they do not care about the welfare of the people they govern. Their newfound pampered lifestyle and their gratuity matter more than people's welfare.

The reason China has suddenly become Africa and Zambia-friendly is simple. China wants to create a new market for its products in Africa. China is quickly losing its American market as most products from China, especially food and toys have been declared dangerous in the US.

Right now toys from China are being removed from shelves in the shops because they are a danger to the health of American children. Last month a Chinese owner of one of the companies that makes the toys, which have been removed from shelves, committed suicide because of the losses he anticipated.

Some states in the US have actually declared that they will inform the Chinese manufacturers to start labelling their products very conspicuously so that buyers can make their choice whether to buy them or not.

Other states in the USA have declared they will not allow Chinese products in their shops. We Zambians must know what is good and what is not good for us. We cannot accept anything from outside just because we are poor. That is outrageous. I want us Zambians to start charting our destiny.