STORY: 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia celebrated
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 29, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:48
LOCATION: Lusaka
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the ceremony to mark 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAN JING, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia
3. various of the ceremony
4. various of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, Zambian President
6. various of students
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LILLIAN MUMBI, Student from the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): KENNETH KASULO, Student from the University of Zambia (UNZA)
9. various of the ceremony

STORYLINE:

China and Zambia held a ceremony on Tuesday to mark 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The ceremony was held at the TAZARA Memorial Park in Chongwe District, about 39 km east of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. A wreath laying was conducted in honor of the Chinese nationals who died during the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) line.

The event, held under the theme "Pass on the TAZARA spirit to the next generation and jointly build a shared future," was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema as well as officials from both the Chinese Embassy and the Zambian government.

In his remarks, the Chinese ambassador said the long-standing relationship between China and Zambia has been seen as a fine example of China-Africa relations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAN JING, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia
"60 years on, our relationship has stood the test of time and has been growing strong and increasingly seen as a fine example of China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation."

The Chinese ambassador also underscored the importance of sensitizing the younger generation of the joint heritage as they were going to be future torchbearers of the China-Zambia friendship.

On his part, the Zambian president said the theme was appropriate as it emphasizes the need to pass on the spirit of the partnership between the two countries to the next generation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, Zambian President
"And really as elders, we need to help our young people that tomorrow is defined by yesterday and today. What we are doing today, shapes what we are going to do tomorrow. So the theme is very appropriate that we can focus on passing the spirits of our partnership to the next generation."

The Zambian president and the Chinese ambassador also unveiled the commemorative envelope for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia during the ceremony.

Some students from universities also attended the ceremony. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LILLIAN MUMBI, Student from the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies
"It's our duty to make sure that we continue collaborating with China as students as youth, as Zambians. So our job is to carry on the baton."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): KENNETH KASULO, Student from the University of Zambia (UNZA)
"A country cannot sustain itself. So as such diplomatic ties with countries are very important. And here we're talking about how Zambia has collaborated with, Tanzania, how Zambia has collaborated with China, in coming up with TAZARA."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)