Translating Chinas Foreign Aid to Zambia Differently: From View Point of Recipient Country

Abstract

Kent Kamasumba International Cooperation Graduate School of International Studies Seoul National University

China and Zambia established diplomatic ties on 29 October 1964. Over fifty-one years, Chinese and Zambian officials have continuously stated that this relationship is affirmed in the interest of both the Chinese and Zambian people, and it is a new type of strategic partnership portraying political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange. Thus, China-Zambia bilateral relationship is an example that promotes as a new strategic relationship befitting the interest of both the donor and recipient countries. China enshrined these principles in its Chinas Africa Policy document in which the Peoples Republic of China reassert that the relations with African countries as that of Zambia is based on the principles of sincerity, friendship and equality, mutual benefit, reciprocity and common prosperity, and mutual support and close coordination between both countries. Both the Chinese and Zambian government have uphold the four defining principles: a new strategic partnership, economic win-win cooperation, friendship and sincerity, and mutual support and mutual benefit. As a reflection of this bilateral relations, Chinas foreign aid in form of the flow of huge capital investment continues to fuel Zambias economic development, by engaging in a Descriptive and Single Case-Study research with a views from a Big Push Theory, the thesis seeks to uncover whether or not the stated principles are positively working in Zambias case.

Key Words: Foreign Aid, China- Zambia Bilateral Relations, Mutual Benefit and Win-Win, Economic Development