今年是中国改革开放40周年。有一句中国人民耳熟能详的话，很好地说明了中国成为全球第二大经济体的经验，那就是“发展是硬道理”。只有保持经济社会持续、健康、稳定发展，才能有效地实现减贫，增加就业，提升人民福祉。

　　非洲是一块充满活力的大陆。赞比亚人口的中位数不到30岁，缺的不是劳动力、土地和市场，而是资金和技术。有一些声音担心赞比亚与中国加强在中非合作论坛框架和“一带一路”倡议下务实合作，会加重赞比亚债务负担，这是没有必要的。中国对赞比亚的融资有严格的评估与审批程序，有具体项目支撑，旨在推动赞比亚工业化、农业现代化和信息化，帮助国家经济持续健康发展和人民生活改善。中国人与赞比亚人一样，同样关注这些资金的效益。中国对赞投融资既是中赞两国友谊的体现，更是中方对赞比亚经济社会发展前景的认可。

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. There is a Chinese saying illustrating China's growth as the world's second-largest economy, which goes that "Developing Is an Unyielding Principle". Only sustained, healthy and stable economic and social development can effectively reduce poverty, increase employment and improve people's well-being.

Africa is a vibrant continent. The average age of the Zambian population is less than 30 years old. What Zambia lacks is not labor, land or markets, but capital and technology. Some people worry that Zambia-China cooperation under the framework of FOACAC as well as the "Belt and Road" initiative would increase Zambia's debt. China has a strict assessment and approval process for the financing. All funds are supported by specific projects, which are beneficial to industrialization, agricultural modernization and Smart Zambia, the healthy development of the country's economy and the improvement of people's lives. Like the Zambians, the Chinese are also concerned about the efficiency of funds. China's investment and financing in Zambian is not only a reflection of the China-Zambia friendship, but also China's identifiable confidence on Zambia's economic and social prospects.

　　英语里有句话叫“独行快，众行远”，赞比亚朋友讲“Lende n'kukankhana”（一个人不荡秋千，奔巴语），“Akaboko, kakonka Akabiye”（一只胳膊搭着另一只，尼昂加语），中国人也常说“众人拾柴火焰高”。

　　我期待，出席中非合作论坛的各成员国领导人与中方一道，共商中非合作大计，将中非团结、永续友好提升到新的高度。

　　我坚信，在中赞领导人共同努力下，论坛北京峰会必将共绘中赞共同发展、共创繁荣的美好蓝图，共创中赞友好合作美好未来。

There is an English saying "if you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together". Our Zambian friends say that "Lende n'kukankhana", "Akaboko, kakonka Akabiye". The corresponding proverb in Chinese is "many hands make light work".

I firmly believe that, with the joint efforts of China and Zambia leaders, the FOCAC Beijing Summit will draw a beautiful blueprint for the China and Zambia common development and prosperity.