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KAMPALA - China has remained Africa's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding two trillion United States dollars in this period, the Chinese ambassador to Uganda has said.

According to Zhang Lizhong, the Chinese Government has participated in large-scale infrastructure projects, including railroads, highways, ports, and electrical infrastructure, continuously benefitting Africans.

In addition to financial support, according to Lizhong, China has dispatched about 9,000 medical personnel and provided more than 100,000 training opportunities to African countries. 

According to Lizhong, China has dispatched about 9,000 medical personnel and provided more than 100,000 training opportunities to African countries. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The envoy also revealed that as they entered a new decade, China and Africa were working together to implement nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as well as the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035.

“Through cooperation in fields such as poverty reduction, health, education, science and technology, environmental protection, climate change, youth and women affairs, we have strengthened exchanges with African countries, provided assistance, and shared experience,” the envoy said.

He further explained that his Government had fostered a self-sustaining drive for Africa's comprehensive social and economic development.

He revealed that as they entered a new decade, China and Africa were working together to implement nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as well as the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035.

Hamyue Shi, a member of the Medical Team of China remarks.

“China's commitment to the Humanity Community of Shared Future is not a mere empty promise, but a concrete practice based on China's remarkable achievements of the Chinese path to modernization,” the ambassador explained.

He said that the President of China, Xi Jinping made three proposals at the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue held in South Africa last August. They include the initiative to support Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization, and cooperation on talent development, to advance modernization and create a great future for African countries including Uganda.

The three proposals, he explained, have drawn the focus of high-level China-Africa community of a shared future on bringing numerous opportunities for China-Uganda practical cooperation in the future.

The envoy was recently, on March 28, 2024, briefing journalists and Think Tanks on the ‘jointly building a humanity community with a shared future and achievements of China-Uganda practical cooperation. 

Peter Muyimbo, the coordinator FAO-Uganda project.

The briefing took place at the Chinese embassy in Kololo and was attended by Chen Huixin, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, Peter Muyimbo, the acting project coordinator for the FAO-Uganda project, and representatives of major Chinese companies working in Uganda. They included China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Power China, Huawei, an ICT company, Power China, Sinohydro, Medical Teams, Sinohydro, and Agriculture Group, among others.

“China's commitment to the Humanity Community of Shared Future is not a mere empty promise, but a concrete practice based on China's remarkable achievements of the Chinese path to modernization,” the ambassador explained.

The Chinese ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, chats with Vision Group journalist Mubarak Mugabo.

Increased Trade between China and Uganda

Commenting about the current status of trade between Uganda and China, Lizhong said the two countries had witnessed an increase in trade volume for seven consecutive years, rising from $600m ten years ago to $1.3b by the end of 2023. He said Uganda’s exports to China increased to $70m, which is about 19.6%.

“China is committed to opening its market wider for Uganda’s quality products,” he said, adding that during the last China-International Import Expo, Ugandan companies signed deals to supply over 30 tons of roasted coffee and another 29 containers of green coffee beans to their Chinese counterparts.  

Fauzia Sooma, the Public Relations Manager Huawei Technologies, one of the Chinese companies that graced the occasion.

The envoy said several Ugandan products were getting popular among Chinese consumers and these included shea butter, chilies, red bean, sim-sim, and fish maw, among others.

Other funded projects

China plans to provide $5m for the renovation and expansion of the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in Naguru. 

The embassy also donated 140 protocol vehicles to Uganda during the Non-Aligned Movement and G77 Plus China summits donated $1m for a new batch of anti-malaria drugs. 

This year, he explained, China had donated rice farming and processing, equipment valued at $2m to Butalejja district, another $2m for a new batch of emergency food assistance, and another $2m donation for the Bamboo Industry project.