Envoy pledges to ensure Chinese investors respect Zambian laws

Envoy pledges to ensure Chinese investors respect Zambian laws
By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Sat 04 June 2011, 04:01 CAT

NEW Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yu Xiao says he will ensure that Chinese
investors do not take advantage of Zambians they employ.

In an interview after the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China signed a loan
deal with Zesco on Monday, Ambassador Zhou (right) said it was important for
Chinese investors to respect Zambian laws by ensuring that they provided
sustainable development to the local people.

“I will not allow investors to invest in the country at the expense of the
people of Zambia. I will represent both the people of Zambia and China,” he
said.

Ambassador Zhou said Zambia and China had shared cordial relations for a long
time and it would be cardinal to uphold the lasting relationship.

“I think cooperation will not last if someone wants to take advantage of the
country, we need to make sure that investors own up to their promises,”
Ambassador Zhou said.

He also said Zambians should start demanding for investment that brought enough
money to improve the economy of the country. Ambassador Zhou said Zambia was receiving a lot of aid from China which was not enough for the improvement of the economy.

“Currently China is giving Zambia a lot of aid which is not enough. You should demand for investment not aid alone. Investment will bring in the country billions of dollars as compared to aid,” said Ambassador Zhou.