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President Michael Sata told Beijing on Monday he welcomed Chinese companies investing
in Africa's biggest copper producer but only if they obeyed the law, especially
by employing more Zambian workers.
In his first official appointment since being elected president on Friday, Mr Sata met Chinese ambassador Zhou Yuxiao to dispel fears his sometimes fierce anti-Chinese rhetoric while in opposition would translate into a shift in investment policy.
However, he also made clear that Chinese companies that have so far ploughed more than US$ 2 bn into developing the mining sector in the southern African country would not be getting preferential treatment.
Mr Sata explained that Zambia welcomes chinese investment but the investment should benefit Zambians and not the Chinese.
In his first official appointment since being elected president on Friday, Mr Sata met Chinese ambassador Zhou Yuxiao to dispel fears his sometimes fierce anti-Chinese rhetoric while in opposition would translate into a shift in investment policy.
However, he also made clear that Chinese companies that have so far ploughed more than US$ 2 bn into developing the mining sector in the southern African country would not be getting preferential treatment.
Mr Sata explained that Zambia welcomes chinese investment but the investment should benefit Zambians and not the Chinese.
He added that it is in law that all investors
who are coming to Zambia should bring a limited number of expatriates whom they
cannot find in Zambia.
He further said the
Patriotic front has taken concern at the unlimited number of people your
investors are bringing to Zambia.Mr Zhou did not specifically address the foreign workers issue, telling a news conference Chinese investment was predicated on win-win co-operation.
Even though China is a major player in the former British colony, its presence is not universally appreciated.
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