Zambia Censors International Conference on Censorship: China's Influence?

 The Zambian Observer published on 30 April 2026 an article titled "President Hichilema Cancels World's Largest Digital Rights Conference."

Zambia cancelled at the last minute the world's largest conference (2,000 delegates) on human rights in the digital age organized by Access Now, RightsCon scheduled for May 5-8 in Lusaka.  A Zambian official said the "postponement" of the conference was "essential to ensure full alignment with Zambia's national values, policy priorities, and broader public interest considerations."

News Diggers published on 30 April 2026 an article titled "Govt Cancels RightsCon Summit Citing Security Concerns on Some Delegates" by Mwenya Mofya.

In 2025, the conference took place in Taiwan.  The News Diggers account reported that the conference was cancelled because the program included Taiwanese delegates who could potentially speak ill of China at a venue donated by the Chinese government.  

China-Zambia Relations

 The South China Morning Post published on 19 November 2025 an article titled "Railway Deal and a Toxic Spill Likely to Top Agenda as Chinese Premier Visits Zambia" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Zambia in route to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Key issues on the agenda will likely be new funding for rehabilitating the Tanzania-Zambia railway, the aftereffects of a major toxic spill by a Chinese mining company in Zambia, and terms for Zambia's repayment of debt to Chinese banks.  

Acidic Waste from Chinese-owned Copper Mine Contaminates River in Zambia

 The Associated Press published on 16 March 2025 an article titled "A River 'Died' Overnight in Zambia after an Acidic Waste Spill at a Chinese-owned Mine."

A tailings dam that holds acidic waste from a Chinese-owned copper mine collapsed in February, contaminating the Kafue River, Zambia's most important waterway.

China Seeks to Revive Tanzania-Zambia Railway

 The South China Morning Post published on 12 November 2023 an article titled "China on Track to Control African Tazara Railway Despite Geopolitical Needling over Control of Mineral Trade Routes" by Jevans Nyabiage.

A Chinese company is expected to negotiate a public-private partnership concession in the form of a build-operate-transfer model with Tanzania and Zambia to operate the 50-year old Chinese-built Tanzam railway.  It is also expected to upgrade the railway at an estimated cost of $1 billion. This is not an aid project but a commercially viable venture.  

Has Zambia Resolved Its China Debt Issue?

 The Diplomat published on 22 September 2023 a commentary titled "China and Zambia: A New Chapter Beyond Debt?" by Huiyi Chen, Development Reimagined.

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema visited China 10-16 September.  In recent years, Zambian debt held by China has dominated the relationship.  The author argues that Zambia managed to resolve the debt issue before the visit, which was all about Zambian development and economic growth.

Zambian President Visiting China; Debt Restructuring at Top of Agenda

 Reuters published on 8 September 2023 an article titled "Zambian President to Visit China, Seeks to Formalise June Debt Deal" by Joe Cash.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is currently visiting China where obtaining final agreement on Beijing's restructuring of debt held by the China Export-Import Bank is one of the primary items on the agenda. Other countries that hold much smaller percentages of Zambia's bilateral external debt include the UK, France, South Africa, India, and Israel.  

Zambia Resetting Relations with US and China

 The Africa Report published on 5 January 2023 an article titled "Zambia: Hichilema Says He's Resetting Lusaka's Relationship with China and US" by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe.

While not foresaking Zambia's close relationship with China, President Hichilema says he plans to mend relations with the West after they soured under the previous government.