On 23rd Dec, 2021, H. E. Mr. Li Jie, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, held a virtual meeting with Hon. Sylvia Masebo, Minster of Health. They exchanged views on bilateral relationship, cooperation in health sector especially fighting against emerging fourth wave of Covid-19.

Mr. Li extended his congratulations to Ms. Masebo for her appointment. He briefed on the latest development of the cooperation between China and Zambia especially those in health sector. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides, China has been making constant efforts to support Zambia to enhance its public health and assisting Zambian people to live a healthier life. Year after year, China sent medical experts and workers to Zambia, trained Zambian talents, constructed medical infrastructures represented by Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, donated medical equipment, drugs and vaccines to Zambia. China is the most reliable partner of Zambia in long term. The all-weather friendship between China and Zambia was forged by the elder generation of Chinese and Zambian leaders. More mutual benefits could be expected as long as the two sides continue to inject new impetus to their everlasting traditional friendship by proceeding with mutual understanding, trust and support.

Mr. Li briefed Ms. Masebo on the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). He said that in the keynote speech at the opening ceremony, President Xi Jinping declared a set of medical and health relevant commitments in the frame of China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. President Xi announced that China would provide another one billion doses of vaccines to Africa, undertake 10 medical and health projects for African countries, and send 1,500 medical personnel and public health experts to Africa. 

Mr. Li said that the China-made vaccines had been widely recognized with a high level of safety and efficacy. China donated a bundle of vaccines to Zambia earlier this year and it made remarkable contributions to containing the pandemic. Another Chinese donation of one million doses was in process now.

Ms. Masebo said that Zambia had established diplomatic relations with China upon its independence. Zambia and China had developed a sincere and mutually beneficial partnership and cooperated in various areas. She highly appreciated the long-standing support that China had provided to Zambia in health sector, especially efforts made by China to help Zambia fight against the pandemic by constructing infrastructure, introducing equipment and vaccines. Ministry of Health in Zambia is very interested in and would pay great attention to health related programs fueled by China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035.