1 September 2006
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has apologised to the Chinese government over recent remarks on investors made by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata.
The President said the remarks were unfortunate considering that China had been helping Zambia in many sectors, such as improving the water reticulation system in many urban and rural areas.
Addressing a rally in Lusaka's Zingalume township area yesterday, Mr Mwanawasa said China had assisted in the construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railways (TAZARA).
He said he had communicated to the Chinese ambassador to rescind the decision not to invest in Zambia, saying if that happened the people would suffer as Chinese investment had created many job opportunities for Zambians.
"You heard what the Chinese said two days ago. They said they are going to suspend investment until after September 28 because if certain politicians are elected into office, they would want to leave before they are chased away. China has given us aid since independence in the mines, road construction and they have done a lot of things," he said.
He was hopeful that the Chinese people would accept his apology and continue investing in Zambia.
Mr Mwanawasa said in a few days time he would be launching water projects in Matero, Kitwe and Kafubu in Luanshya supported by the Chinese and he was hopeful these projects would go on.
There were also a number of other ongoing Chinese projects that needed to be completed.
Earlier, Mr Mwanawasa directed the permanent secretary in the ministry of Education to ensure that the ministry recruits eight more teachers for Chunga Basic School.
This was after he inspected the school constructed through the Japanese aid in Chunga township.
He gave the ministry 30 days in which to ensure that the teachers were recruited.
School head, Peter Mwale told the President that with 1,330 pupils, the school only had 22 teachers. Mr Mwale said to effectively cater for that number of pupils, the school required eight more teachers.
At the same school, Mr Mwanawasa met a group of pastors calling themselves Matero Family of Ministers whom he urged to pray for peace during the time of elections. He said Christianity was placed high in Zambia and the clergy should therefore ensure that they prayed for peace.
He had respect for religion and this could be seen through the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation and his public baptism.
Chairman of Matero Family of Ministers, David Banda said the pastors were free to meet any presidential candidate.
Reverend Banda said they wanted to meet the President in a formal way and would therefore be seeking an appointment with him.
The President told them he was ready to meet them.
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