CIDCA vice-chairman attends completion ceremony of satellite TV project in Zambia

Zhang Maoyu, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), attended the completion ceremony of the China-aided “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” project in Chongwe, Lusaka province, Zambia, on June 13.

In his speech, Zhang said the project has enabled 500 villages in Zambia to watch satellite TV and connects them with the whole world, giving them new opportunities to improve their lives and develop the economy. China hopes that through this project, Zambia and African people will learn more about the world, accelerate digitalization of African radio and television, and enhance mutual understanding and beneficial cooperation between the Chinese and African people.

Zhang said that as a good friend, good partner and good brother of African countries, China has always been upholding the true concept of sincerity and right approach to justice and interests, and has provided assistance to Africa within its ability for a long time.

In the future, China will further strengthen cooperation with Zambia and continue to give it more support in areas such as infrastructure construction, poverty alleviation and green development. China will implement the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promote construction of the Belt and Road, and work with African countries to create a community of shared destiny for China and Africa.

Dora Siliya, Zambia's minister of information and broadcasting Services, expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government for making Zambia one of the beneficiaries of the “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” project. The project will help the younger generation of Zambia to better expand their horizons and understand the world, and help the country’s rural areas narrow the information gap with the outside world. Zambia is willing to work with China to ensure the sustainable development of the project.

Zhang signed the handover certificate of the project with Siliya. They planted a palm tree symbolizing friendship between China and Zambia.

Li Jie, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, attended the activities and delivered a speech. Nearly 1,000 people, including villagers, teachers and students of Chongwe, also attended the completion ceremony. The local people sang and danced with a warm atmosphere in celebration.

The “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” project is an important pragmatic cooperation initiative announced at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2015. The Chinese government uses the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to implement satellite TV projects for 10,000 villages in Africa.