Zambian President hails Xi's vision for China-Africa cooperation

The 10 partnership action plans proposed by President Xi Jinping at the just-concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will uplift the living standards of the African people, said Zambian President Hakainde Hichilem.

President Hichilema, who was in Beijing attending the 2024 FOCAC Summit from Wednesday to Friday, made these remarks in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Friday.

He said Xi's plans offer clear guidance on the path of partnership between China and the continent.

"The important thing is that the 10 focal areas that President Xi Jinping raised and we appreciate him and his government and the people of China with their invitation for this FOCAC, is really to focus on working together how Africa and China can work together on the path of development, total development, economic development, investment, trade, and also other sectors - education, culture, social issues, uplifting the living standards of our people, food security, energy, security, not just energy security, but energy which comes with the face of justice and equity, meaning affordability, even for those that are off the grid, those that live in the outskirts of our countries, the continent of Africa. Our countries must benefit from the technological development that are taking place amongst ourselves. China, I think, is leading the way here," he said.

The president called for enhanced cooperation between the two sides on more sectors, cleaner energy and green economies included, to create jobs not only in China and Africa, but also beyond.

"Various other resource endowments that we have, for example, countries like Zambia and other African countries are endowed with critical minerals - copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium group, and other members that are key to the world's green revolution. I think it does benefit the world that the more we gravitate to us, cleaner energy, green economies, green copper, green cobalt, so to say, and energy itself, then will make the world much safer, more sustainable for the generations to come. I think that's how it benefits the world. More than that, jobs will not just be created in the African countries on the continent, but also here in China. And the products that come out of processes, value addition, industrialization or service-for-service within Africa, China, but outside of this bloc - China, Africa - jobs would be created beyond Africa and China. So this is really an important development going beyond Africa and China, but for the global community," said Hichilema.

Xi, Hichilema and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the revitalization project of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway.

According to Hichilema, the TARAZA railway is a heritage asset, and needs to be revitalized for its original intentions to continue.

He expected that the improved railway network in the region can open up Africa in terms of logistics, trade and market access and boost employment, business opportunities that also brings benefits to the peoples in the region.

"It's a very, very important mission and milestone we've achieved by signing the revitalization of the TAZARA corridor. And this is good, not just for Tanzania, China, Zambia, but for the region, for the corridor, for the world," said Hichilema.

The FOCAC summit was the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders.

Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the three-day gathering attracted over 50 African leaders, who highlighted the common pursuit of China and African countries in realizing modernization.

Zambian President hails Xi's vision for China-Africa cooperation

Truck drivers and their cargoes sought refuge in a Shanghai activity hub as Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades, made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing heavy rains and winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.

In the Pudong District, situated on the southeastern tip of Shanghai, the impact of Typhoon Bebinca was stark, with trees and road signs uprooted, construction sites disrupted, and bicycles scattered across the ground.

Shanghai is not prone to strong typhoons, but local authorities have made emergency plans.

In Lingang Special Area, an activity hub was transformed into a temporary shelter for over 130 truck drivers and their cargoes.

"With such strong winds, it's not safe to park my truck on the street. Trees could fall. Parking here is a safer choice. The service is good here. It's clean, and it also provides food. We can take a shower here," said Wang Shaodong, a truck driver from east China's Anhui Province.

"The Donghai Bridge has been closed, as the typhoon is approaching. That's why we came here. They provide us with bedding, and air conditioners were turned on. So we are staying here. There are also meals downstairs," said Gong Xiangge, a hazardous cargo driver from east China's Shandong Province.

"We call these truck drivers 'men living on wheels.' The 13th typhoon [of this year] brought gales, with maximum wind speed reaching 36.9 meters per second, so danger may come at any time. So staying on the side of the street is unsafe for both trucks and drivers," said Fan Jianrong, deputy director of Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group.

Although traffic resumed on all roads and bridges across Shanghai starting from 20:00 on Monday, precautions are still in place as Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th of the year, has formed in the northeastern Pacific and could follow a similar path to Typhoon Bebinca.

The director of the center said that the shelter remains open to those in need, ensuring that assistance is readily available for individuals affected by the poor weather.

Truck drivers seek shelter as powerful typhoon hits Shanghai