Lusaka — African countries should not view their ties with China from the Western perspectives, but to have their independent judgment, the Times of Zambia reported on Friday.

Citing Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda, the Times said instead of viewing China from the Western perspectives, African governments should ensure that they put in place measures that will result in a win-win situation for both.

"In Zambia, we have our rules and foreign investors including those from China should comply; this is the same with other African countries, they have to set their rules. We should not view China relations from Western perspectives," he was quoted as saying by the paper in an interview broadcast on state-television, ZNBC.

According to him, Africa should be allowed to develop its own trade relations with other countries.

Meanwhile, the Zambian minister has implored African countries to reduce trade barriers to unlock the continent's economic potential. He said as long as barriers in the movement of people persisted, Africa would continue to lag behind in terms of attaining meaningful development.

The Zambian minister said there is need to find a workable roadmap to forge economic development on the continent, adding that countries should accelerate the integration agenda.

- Xinhua