TOPIC

/ location

Zambia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Zambia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Lusaka

Head of State

President Hakainde Hichilema

Head of Government

President Hakainde Hichilema

Togo has been a recipient of emergency food aid from China. Photo: Xinhua

China-Africa relations

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

19 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

My Take

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

5 Apr 2026 - 11:05PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

4 Apr 2026 - 10:30PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at the Kennedy Centre for the opening night of the musical Chicago on March 31. Oil trades spiked by half a billion dollars minutes before Trump posted a pause on the US attack on Iranian energy sites. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

China-EU relations

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Hongkong Post’s airmail services to 24 countries affected by strikes in Middle East

Public postal service suspends airmail to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, affecting ‘services transiting through these locations’.

1 Mar 2026 - 11:50PM

China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopian pavilion of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, Hunan province on August 30, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

As China seeks to globalise the yuan, it finds a new vehicle in Africa

Africa Finance Corporation executive says entering Chinese capital markets is a ‘natural evolution’.

13 Feb 2026 - 1:36PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Zambia is collecting taxes and royalties from Chinese mining firms in yuan, and repaying loans and import costs back to Beijing in the same currency. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

Chinese loans to Africa down by nearly 50 per cent as priorities shift

Report says the decline highlights a ‘more selective phase of engagement’ by Beijing.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:24PMvideocam

China financed only six projects across Africa in 2024, Boston University Global Development Policy Centre report says. Photo: Xinhua

China-Africa relations

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

8 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

The Chinese-funded rail upgrade benefits Tanzania and Zambia while securing China a trade corridor and access to critical African minerals.

7 Dec 2025 - 5:38PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

19 Nov 2025 - 3:28PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will arrive in Lusaka on Wednesday. He is expected to meet President Hakainde Hichilema to review agreements including the Tazara deal. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry.

22 Oct 2025 - 6:59PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

China’s factory robot army; a ‘new global energy system’: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese mining firms sued in Zambia to China’s 300,000-strong industrial robot army, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

6 Oct 2025 - 9:15PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese mining firms sued over toxic acid spill pose dilemma for Zambian government

Farmers’ US$80 billion compensation bid leaves the authorities trying to balance good relations with Beijing and needs of local communities.

6 Oct 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

Local farmers have described the impact of a tailings dam collapse about 300km north of Zambian capital Lusaka as an “ecological catastrophe”. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

US$1.4 billion Tazara rail deal puts China on fast track to Africa’s Copperbelt

State-owned CCECC will refurbish and operate the ageing Tanzania-Zambia railway, securing access to vital shipping links.

1 Oct 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

United Nations

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

30 Sep 2025 - 4:40AM

US-China relations

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

19 Sep 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

The US is interested in critical minerals from Zambia and DR Congo, both key producers of copper and cobalt. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China, US, Japan race to control African rail routes in critical minerals fight

Infrastructure is no longer just about moving ore, it is about shaping global supply lines, one analyst notes.

6 Sep 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Beijing will invest US$1.4 billion to rehabilitate the Tazara Railway. Photo: Shutterstock

Middle East

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

4 Sep 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Angola rail project not aimed at countering China, CEO says

The US has framed it as key to de-risking from China, but Nicholas Fournier says Lobito Atlantic Railway is ‘a purely commercial entity’.

23 Aug 2025 - 8:39PM

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong bank manager guilty in HK$21 million fraud against Japanese investors

Anti-corruption investigation reveals culprit helped illegal syndicate by issuing false bank documents to deceive investors.

12 Aug 2025 - 12:34AM

The former Standard Chartered Bank manager helped an illegal syndicate deceive Japanese investors into pouring money into projects in Africa. Photo: Nathan Tsui

China-Africa relations

Inside China and Tanzania’s ‘very special’ ties – found nowhere else in Africa

Enduring China-Tanzania military partnership dating back to 1964 represents a ‘unique bond’ as Sino-African relations deepen, study says.

6 Jul 2025 - 7:11PMvideocam

The 45th Chinese naval fleet visits Tanzania in March last year as part of their ‘very special relationship’. Photo: Weibo/PLA Navy

China-Africa relations

Is this the copper century? China moves to shore up supplies from Africa

African copper is crucial for China as the West restricts supplies, notably from Canada, analyst says.

2 Jul 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Opinion | Africa could emerge a winner from China’s war-induced energy shift

China’s transition to renewables could see African nations benefit as long as public-private partnerships help unlock potential gains.

30 Jun 2025 - 7:06AMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Zambia

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

Hongkong Post’s airmail services to 24 countries affected by strikes in Middle East

Public postal service suspends airmail to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, affecting ‘services transiting through these locations’.

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

As China seeks to globalise the yuan, it finds a new vehicle in Africa

Africa Finance Corporation executive says entering Chinese capital markets is a ‘natural evolution’.

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

Chinese loans to Africa down by nearly 50 per cent as priorities shift

Report says the decline highlights a ‘more selective phase of engagement’ by Beijing.

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

The Chinese-funded rail upgrade benefits Tanzania and Zambia while securing China a trade corridor and access to critical African minerals.

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry.

China’s factory robot army; a ‘new global energy system’: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese mining firms sued in Zambia to China’s 300,000-strong industrial robot army, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Chinese mining firms sued over toxic acid spill pose dilemma for Zambian government

Farmers’ US$80 billion compensation bid leaves the authorities trying to balance good relations with Beijing and needs of local communities.

US$1.4 billion Tazara rail deal puts China on fast track to Africa’s Copperbelt

State-owned CCECC will refurbish and operate the ageing Tanzania-Zambia railway, securing access to vital shipping links.

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

China, US, Japan race to control African rail routes in critical minerals fight

Infrastructure is no longer just about moving ore, it is about shaping global supply lines, one analyst notes.

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

Angola rail project not aimed at countering China, CEO says

The US has framed it as key to de-risking from China, but Nicholas Fournier says Lobito Atlantic Railway is ‘a purely commercial entity’.

Hong Kong bank manager guilty in HK$21 million fraud against Japanese investors

Anti-corruption investigation reveals culprit helped illegal syndicate by issuing false bank documents to deceive investors.

Inside China and Tanzania’s ‘very special’ ties – found nowhere else in Africa

Enduring China-Tanzania military partnership dating back to 1964 represents a ‘unique bond’ as Sino-African relations deepen, study says.

Is this the copper century? China moves to shore up supplies from Africa

African copper is crucial for China as the West restricts supplies, notably from Canada, analyst says.

Opinion | Africa could emerge a winner from China’s war-induced energy shift

China’s transition to renewables could see African nations benefit as long as public-private partnerships help unlock potential gains.

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America