Africa needs China — KK
27th July 2010
By Times Reporter FORMER president Kenneth Kaunda has said there is need for China to help Africa develop capacity for value addition as that would help grow the economies of countries on the continent.
Speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he met a delegation from China led by State Councillor Dai Bingguo, Dr Kaunda thanked China for its assistance during the struggle for independence.
“China stood by the people of Africa during our struggle for self determination and independence,” he said.
The assistance Zambia received from China helped the country overcome the era of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa.
“I recall with fond memories my meetings with some of the founding leaders of the People’s Republic of China.
“I met the great chairman Mao Tse Tung and premier Chou En-Lai during our early days of our independence and a few years thereafter,” he said.
He said it was during such meetings that a decision was made to build Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority.
Dr Kaunda said Africa was still looking forward to more cooperation with China on matters of trade and investment.
He informed the delegation that after leaving office, he established the Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation whose main objective was to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on orphans and other vulnerable children.
He also said he had started writing his memoirs on the independence struggle and the role Zambia played in helping to liberate the region with the help of the People’s Republic of China.
Mr Dai said the people of China admired and respected Dr Kunda and regarded him as an old friend.
[Times of Zambia]
