TOPIC

/ location

Zambia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Zambia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Lusaka

Head of State

President Hakainde Hichilema

Head of Government

President Hakainde Hichilema

China is Africa’s largest trading partner and the primary financier of the continent’s megaprojects. Photo: Felix Wong

China-Africa relations

Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency

The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions.

16 Aug 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China’s Africa loan pivot turns it into a debt collector

7 Aug 2026 - 5:18PM

China-Africa relations

How China’s US$900 million port deal in Angola shows its lead on US interests

4 Aug 2026 - 5:53PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Why the US remains ‘fragmented’ in a critical copper clash against China

Washington’s efforts to rebuild the domestic copper industry are colliding with Chinese dominance in a metal central to advanced tech and defence systems.

24 Jun 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

US-China relations

US agency goes back to the future to take on China’s Belt and Road Initiative

The US International Development Finance Corp mixes national security and foreign investment in its supply chain quest.

30 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why African leaders value seamless transcontinental links over US-China rivalry

Economic ambitions are the priority, says official with project that Washington has framed as de-risking mineral supply chains from Beijing.

4 May 2026 - 5:11PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

19 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Togo has been a recipient of emergency food aid from China. Photo: Xinhua

My Take

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

In contrast to friendly China, the United States has weaponised foreign aid on one continent and returned to gunboat diplomacy in the western hemisphere.

5 Apr 2026 - 11:05PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:30PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at the Kennedy Centre for the opening night of the musical Chicago on March 31. Oil trades spiked by half a billion dollars minutes before Trump posted a pause on the US attack on Iranian energy sites. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

China-EU relations

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Workers direct lorry traffic in Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong transport

Hongkong Post’s airmail services to 24 countries affected by strikes in Middle East

Public postal service suspends airmail to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, affecting ‘services transiting through these locations’.

1 Mar 2026 - 11:50PM

China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

US-China relations

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

An employee of Chinese company CMOC holds a form of cobalt hydroxide produced at the Tenke Fungurume mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

As China seeks to globalise the yuan, it finds a new vehicle in Africa

Africa Finance Corporation executive says entering Chinese capital markets is a ‘natural evolution’.

13 Feb 2026 - 1:36PMvideocam

Multilateral lender Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has confirmed that a debut panda bond issuance is “on the table for this year”. Photo: Getty Images

China-Africa relations

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Chinese loans to Africa down by nearly 50 per cent as priorities shift

Report says the decline highlights a ‘more selective phase of engagement’ by Beijing.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:24PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

8 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Chinese state-owned firms have broken ground on a 233km, US$1.3 billion highway in Kenya. Its leadership says the PPP model will solve Kenya’s infrastructure funding challenges amid its debt overhang. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

The Chinese-funded rail upgrade benefits Tanzania and Zambia while securing China a trade corridor and access to critical African minerals.

7 Dec 2025 - 5:38PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

19 Nov 2025 - 3:28PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will arrive in Lusaka on Wednesday. He is expected to meet President Hakainde Hichilema to review agreements including the Tazara deal. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry.

22 Oct 2025 - 6:59PMvideocam

China has accelerated its initiatives on global AI governance, presenting itself as a champion of sharing advanced technologies with the Global South. Photo: Shutterstock

SCMP Highlights

China’s factory robot army; a ‘new global energy system’: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese mining firms sued in Zambia to China’s 300,000-strong industrial robot army, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

6 Oct 2025 - 9:15PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese mining firms sued over toxic acid spill pose dilemma for Zambian government

Farmers’ US$80 billion compensation bid leaves the authorities trying to balance good relations with Beijing and needs of local communities.

6 Oct 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

US$1.4 billion Tazara rail deal puts China on fast track to Africa’s Copperbelt

State-owned CCECC will refurbish and operate the ageing Tanzania-Zambia railway, securing access to vital shipping links.

1 Oct 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

More than 50 years after China funded and built the Tanzania-Zambia railway, the same state-owned company is set to refurbish the ageing rail link. Photo: Shutterstock

United Nations

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

30 Sep 2025 - 4:40AM

US-China relations

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

19 Sep 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China, US, Japan race to control African rail routes in critical minerals fight

Infrastructure is no longer just about moving ore, it is about shaping global supply lines, one analyst notes.

6 Sep 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

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Zambia

Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency

The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions.

China’s Africa loan pivot turns it into a debt collector

How China’s US$900 million port deal in Angola shows its lead on US interests

Why the US remains ‘fragmented’ in a critical copper clash against China

Washington’s efforts to rebuild the domestic copper industry are colliding with Chinese dominance in a metal central to advanced tech and defence systems.

US agency goes back to the future to take on China’s Belt and Road Initiative

The US International Development Finance Corp mixes national security and foreign investment in its supply chain quest.

Why African leaders value seamless transcontinental links over US-China rivalry

Economic ambitions are the priority, says official with project that Washington has framed as de-risking mineral supply chains from Beijing.

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

In contrast to friendly China, the United States has weaponised foreign aid on one continent and returned to gunboat diplomacy in the western hemisphere.

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

Hongkong Post’s airmail services to 24 countries affected by strikes in Middle East

Public postal service suspends airmail to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, affecting ‘services transiting through these locations’.

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

As China seeks to globalise the yuan, it finds a new vehicle in Africa

Africa Finance Corporation executive says entering Chinese capital markets is a ‘natural evolution’.

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

Chinese loans to Africa down by nearly 50 per cent as priorities shift

Report says the decline highlights a ‘more selective phase of engagement’ by Beijing.

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

The Chinese-funded rail upgrade benefits Tanzania and Zambia while securing China a trade corridor and access to critical African minerals.

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry.

China’s factory robot army; a ‘new global energy system’: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese mining firms sued in Zambia to China’s 300,000-strong industrial robot army, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Chinese mining firms sued over toxic acid spill pose dilemma for Zambian government

Farmers’ US$80 billion compensation bid leaves the authorities trying to balance good relations with Beijing and needs of local communities.

US$1.4 billion Tazara rail deal puts China on fast track to Africa’s Copperbelt

State-owned CCECC will refurbish and operate the ageing Tanzania-Zambia railway, securing access to vital shipping links.

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

China, US, Japan race to control African rail routes in critical minerals fight

Infrastructure is no longer just about moving ore, it is about shaping global supply lines, one analyst notes.

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America