• Chinese Premier Li Qiang visits Zambia to strengthen bilateral cooperation
• Talks focus on trade, investment, transport, energy, mining, and technology
• Both countries advance projects including TAZARA modernization and trade agreements

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is on an official visit to Zambia on November 19, and November 20 at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema to deepen bilateral ties.

Talks between the two leaders will focus on strengthening cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, transport and logistics, energy, mining, agriculture, and technology.

OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA BY H.E. LI QIANG, PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF #CHINA.#ZambiaChinaRelations#BilateralCooperation #EconomicDiplomacy #ForeignAffairsZambia pic.twitter.com/LBAuEGwfYv

— Zambia Foreign Ministry (@ZambiaMFAIC) November 17, 2025

They will also review progress on various agreements and projects, and explore new opportunities for collaboration under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation.

Lusaka and Beijing maintain diplomatic and bilateral relations that they aim to expand. In September 2023, both sides upgraded their partnership to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The following year, during the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, they signed a memorandum of understanding on the modernization of the Tanzania–Zambia railway, built with Chinese participation.

On the economic and trade front, the two countries created a joint economic and trade committee and concluded an agreement to avoid double taxation. Starting December 1, 2024, China applied tariff treatment to all Zambian products. That same year, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, their trade increased by 26.1% to $6.68 billion.

The Zambian president met on Wednesday with the chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation to discuss the TAZARA railway and related opportunities. “We look forward to Thursday, when we will join the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Li Qiang, in signing documents to mark the official commencement of the TAZARA revitalisation programme with our sister nation, the United Republic of Tanzania,” he said.

Lydie Mobio