I’ve Always Been a Labourer – SATA

CHINA’S Vice-President Li Yuanchao yesterday told President Michael Sata that he is the most democratic President he has ever interacted with.
And President Sata says he has always been a labourer, a worker and knows the suffering of the people.
Speaking at State House when he paid a courtesy call on President Sata, Vice-President Li said he had heard numerous negative stories about President Sata’s character.
“Your Excellency, before I came, I heard so many stories about your character. But after seeing you today, I realise that those stories are not true. You are the first President who has ever allowed all the members of my delegation to say something about the meeting we are having. Sir, you are the most democratic president we have ever dealt with,” said Vice-President Li.
During the courtesy call, President Sata asked his ministers to introduce themselves and make contributions before asking the Chinese delegation to do the same.
Vice-President Li said President Sata had improved Zambia’s economic development since ascending to power in 2011.
“Since you became President in 2011, we have seen improved attraction of foreign investment, the fight against corruption, increased the job opportunities and the reduction of poverty to improve people’s living standards in Zambia,” he said.
“We also salute you for the gesture of new improved relations by sending president Kaunda to China to represent you and for sending your Vice-President before you visited our country yourself,” he said.
And Vice-President Li thanked Zambia for helping China’s recognition at the United Nations.
“We are highly grateful to Zambia for ensuring that the Republic of China gets a legitimate seat at the United Nations through the efforts of president Kaunda,” he said.
Vice-President Li called for amicable solutions to differences between the two countries.
“We know that every cooperation has misunderstandings and differences but what is important is to resolve them through consultation,” he said.
And President Sata said China had helped Zambia develop through the two countries’ partnership.
“Me and the ministers of finance and commerce are very grateful to China because before I joined politics, the Chinese people did a great deal for Zambia by building the TAZARA railway. So when you come here, we don’t even know how to say thank you. You have helped so many government parastatals,” he said.
“We don’t look at the Chinese as foreigners. We look at them as our brothers. We have so many things in common. There is unemployment in China and there is unemployment in Zambia. We want a railway line from Kasama to Nakonde, which will join the old TAZARA. You have come at the right time.”
President Sata said he wanted his two ministers for commerce and finance to go to China and see how best they could work closely with that country.
“The two of them, with me, form Siamese twins . So if anyone wants to kill China, they must kill us first. I have always been a labourer. I have always been a worker. I know the sufferings of the people. That is why I am always humbled with your sacrifice,” he said.
“We need an airline. Zambia is nothing without an airline. When we had an airline, we used to come straight to Beijing but now we don’t have transport to come to Beijing. We are begging.”
President Sata jokingly said the Chinese were selfish by recalling their current ambassador to Zambia.
“How can you take away that man outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zambia from us? He is very intelligent. We also want him here. Who tells you that all good things belong to China?” he asked.
“I want the Minister of Lands to give him five acres of land so that he can come back to stay here,” Sata said.
And Vice-President Li says Zambia was enjoying stability and development under President Michael Sata.
During a meeting between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Patriotic Front, Vice-President Li said Zambia had seen unprecedented development since the PF took office.
“Zambia is enjoying good momentum, stability and development since the PF took over government. Foreign investors are willing to come to Zambia because of the investment environment and Chinese investment coming to Zambia,” Vice-President Li said.
He said China was happy that the PF was caring for Zambians.
“It is good that the government has adopted pro-poor policies and because of this, the party will get support from the people. Under the leadership of President Michael Sata, PF will make greater achievements in the future. In the meeting with President Sata and Vice-President Dr Guy Scott, we talked about concepts of cooperation, where we agreed on further expanding our cooperation,” he said.
Vice-President Li said China appreciated the mutual and friendly cooperation between the two countries.
He said CPC and PF would continue extending cooperation and programmes at party level.
Vice-President Li said he was happy with the performance and conduct of PF members that had gone for exchange programmes in that country.
“The international department of the CPC extends its invitation to you (PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba) to lead a delegation of party officials this year to China to enhance our party-to-party relationship. As ruling parties, we will face a lot of challenges in governing our countries, so we need to compare notes and experiences, learn, share and support each other. PF is leading the people of Zambia to realise its development,” said Vice-President Li.

And Kabimba said the party had dedicated itself to serving the people.
He said PF would learn a lot from the experience CPC had for many years.
Kabimba said CPC had survived for a long time because it had loyal, faithful and committed members.
“PF in the last two and half years has embarked on a socioeconomic transformation programme, especially in the education and health sectors. To drive this transformation, it takes efforts of women and the youth in the party to complement these programmes. We know that the CPC has a long and extensive experience to share with us,” Kabimba said.
He said leadership skills were a strong component in the party.
“Such programmes instil a sense of discipline, volunteerism, commitment and loyalty to the party, and party members ultimately develop a sense of belonging to the party,” said Kabimba.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Li yesterday said Dr Kenneth Kaunda remains a hero in the eyes of the Chinese people.
Speaking when he called on Dr Kaunda at his office in Lusaka, Vice-President Li said China had great respect for the first Republican president owing to his immense contribution to the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
“China has great respect for you. That’s why I have visited you with my delegation to even convey to you greetings from President Xi Jinping,” Vice-President Li said.
“You are a founding father of Zambia and a hero figure in the eyes of the Chinese people.”
Vice-President Li said Dr Kaunda played a critical role in the liberation of Southern Africa and solidifying the China-Zambia friendship over the years.
“You contributed to the fight against anti-colonial rule and Africa’s independence; this achievement will not be deleted. We as China were happy to see that after you got independence, Zambia enjoyed peace and political stability, a feat that has continued,” Vice-President Li said.
“You are the creator and founding father of the Zambia-China friendship. It’s also touching for me that the PF, through President Michael Sata, entrusted you to visit China at your old age and clearly you made arrangements to further the cooperation between the two countries.”
Vice-President Li said Dr Kaunda’s contribution in promoting the Zambia-China friendship could not be surpassed. He hailed Zambia for supporting China’s admittance to the United Nations.
Vice-President Li extended an invitation to Dr Kaunda to visit China again.
“You are already 90 years but you are still looking young and in high spirits. I hope you can live a long and healthy life to continue seeing the cooperation of our two countries,” said Vice-President Li.
And Dr Kaunda said China was widely known in Zambian and it was gratifying that her 50 years of friendship with Zambia coincided with the golden jubilee celebrations this year.
“This has brought firm friendship between all-weather friends. China has been in Zambia’s life from the beginning, out of principle and this has to continue,” he said.
Dr Kaunda said he was happy that China had immensely contributed to Zambia’s development by supporting various sectors of the economy.
“Let us strengthen people-to-people links. I appeal to the government and Zambian people to remember what we have achieved together with China. Let’s continue to strengthen our cooperation,” Dr Kaunda said. “As we celebrate 50 years of independence and friendship, let’s make new steps to 50 years of greatness.”
He hailed outgoing Ambassador Zhou for his wonderful contribution towards growing Zambia’s cooperation with China.
Dr Kaunda also noted that China’s inclusion to the UN had helped in creating a balance in world politics.\

THE POST

Posted by Editor on June 20, 2014. Filed under POLITICS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry