China’s Premier Li Qiang is visiting Zambia for two days to finalize a $1.4 billion project to modernize the Tazara railway, a Cold War-era line crucial for transporting Zambian copper to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. The railway, built in the 1970s with Chinese support, was designed to bypass southern routes through Rhodesia and apartheid-era South Africa. It remains a key trade link for Zambia, one of the world’s top copper producers, vital for electronics and green technologies. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema praised China’s historical and ongoing support. “The Chinese people took a decision to support their brothers and sisters in Zambia, constructing the rail line to open Zambia’s trade to the sea,” he said.
Li Qiang described China as “a good brother, good friend, and good partner of Zambia” and emphasized the goal of strengthening bilateral cooperation. “We want to work with Zambia to advance modernization and build an even stronger China-Zambia community with a shared future,” he said. This visit is the first by a Chinese premier in 28 years and comes as Zambia recovers from a recent financial crisis. Analysts note that China’s investment not only secures a reliable supply of copper but also expands Beijing’s influence in southern Africa ahead of the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, which Li will attend. The two nations are expected to sign agreements on the railway refurbishment during the visit, marking a major milestone in their strategic economic partnership.
