Mukupa Writes

 By Linda Mupemo Republican Vice President Mutale Nalumango (L) and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing (R) make a toast during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the People’s Republic of China - Picture by Royd Sibajene Five days after gaining independence from its colonial masters on 24th October 1964, Zambia with  founding President Kenneth Kaunda at the helm of power established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.  The international cooperation was the first of its kind in the region, making Zambia to have been the first country in Southern Africa to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.  Over the years, the two countries have continued to hold each other's hands on their paths to modernisation and weathering underdevelopment storms along the way.  Noteworthy is that Zambia is one of the countries that stood with the People's Republic of China at a time it needed friends.  For instance, ...

 By Linda Mupemo  President Hakainde Hichilema (L) held a bilateral meeting with the People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping (R) - Picture courtesy of Mr. Hichilema's Facebook page  The buzz about the 2024 Forum on China - Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit may be simmering down but its impact is projected to have long-term results in member countries.  FOCAC was established 24 years ago as an avenue for multilateral partnership between China and 53 African countries.  The FOCAC Summit is held every three years in either the People's Republic of China or an African country.  Zambia's Republican President Hakainde Hichilema was among the 53 heads of states who attended the 2024 FOCAC Summit which was held from 4th to 6th September in the People's Republic of China capital city, Beijing.  This year’s FOCAC Summit was held under the theme, “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High - Level China - Africa Community with a Shared F...

By Linda Mupemo, Beijing  2024 CIPCC Fellows  As the 2030 agenda for sustainable development deadline draws near, United Nations (UN) member states are intensifying their efforts aimed at achieving the 17 goals. The People's Republic of China is one of the few countries that have achieved Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number one which focuses on eliminating extreme poverty.     China Anti- Poverty Research Institute Professor Wang Sangui states that the Chinese Government succeeded in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty by 2020, ten years ahead of the UN schedule.  The Asian country has equally made headways with the provision of clean and affordable energy, promoting industrialisation,  innovation and quality education among other goals.  Having realised the vital role international cooperation plays in advancing development and global impact, China is strengthening partnerships with various sectors of the international community ...

 By Linda Mupemo Rosemary Mukosha Rosemary Mukosha walks to her reed barn while balancing on two crutches. She keenly watches her farm worker as he empties a 50 kilogram bag of maize into the barn, filling it to the brim.  Relief is written all over her face. For the coming months, her family does not have to worry about buying mealie meal.  Rosemary is one of the 9,409 beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme which government has been implementing in Milenge district in Luapula Province since 2012.  A severe infection led to her left leg being amputated. Her condition qualified her to be selected as a beneficiary of the social protection programme under the physically challenged persons category.  The 30-year-old resident of Lunga village in Mikula Ward says she has been receiving financial aid from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services since 2017.  Ms. Mukosha reveals that sh...