VICE-President George Kunda has called for more Chinese investments in Zambia, saying there are still many areas in the economy that need massive investments.

Mr Kunda said the Government encouraged more potential investors from China to seize the opportunity offered by Zambia's investor-friendly atmosphere to come and explore other viable business opportunities available in Zambia.

Speaking during the State banquet hosted in honour of China's State Councillor, Dai Bingguo, Mr Kunda said the Government was encouraging the establishment of joint venture projects between Zambian and Chinese business organisations to jointly exploit the abundant national resources available in Zambia.

"As His Excellency Mr Banda explained during his State visit to China in February, 2010, abundant opportunities for investment still exist in all sectors of the Zambian economy including in the priority areas of agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining," he said.

Mr Kunda said several Chinese investors had already taken advantage of the conducive environment that existed in Zambia and established lucrative business ventures in the country.

Mr Kunda said Zambia acknowledged with admiration, the major success that China continues to register in various sectors of its economy even in the face of the recent global financial and economic crisis that had affected all developed and developing countries.

He said Zambia has followed with keen interest China's successes in sectors such as industry, manufacturing, technology, textiles, construction, energy, health and mining.

He said Zambia was grateful that through bilateral interactions, the country would be able to tap into the Chinese experience in economic transformation as she endeavours to achieve her transformation of becoming a prosperous middle-income nation by the year 2030.

Mr Kunda also reiterated Government's appreciation for the assistance that it had received from the Government of China over the years in various sectors of the Zambian economy.

Mr Kunda said several agreements and memoranda of Understanding were signed between the two countries during the State visit to China by President Banda in February this year.

He said additional agreements were signed on Monday and that the Government looked forward to the immediate implementation of the agreements especially in priority areas of economic and technical cooperation, mining, cultural exchanges and development of economic zones in Zambia.

Mr Kunda said the implementation of these agreements would not only help in creating the much-needed employment for the people of Zambia but also help in protecting the Chinese investments in the country.

And Mr Dai said Zambia was an important country with great influence on the African continent.

Mr Dai said Zambia was and would remain a good ally to China.

He said Zambia had maintained economic stability and commended President Banda's leadership, which stood the effects of the global economic recession.

Mr Dai, who is on a tour of African countries, said the continent has become attractive and its voice was being heard on the international stage.

Mr Dai refuted claims by some business experts that China was only interested in reaping Africa's fortunes.

He said the relationship between African countries and China was based on mutual understanding and respect.

Mr Dai said China wanted to help Africa develop and its assistance was not in any way attached to political motives.