| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 80,000 (2019) [1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Lusaka | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Overseas Chinese |
In recent decades, the population of Chinese people in Zambia has rapidly increased. There were 80,000 Chinese people living in Zambia according to a 2019 U.N. World Population study. [1]
There was significant temporary migration of thousands of Chinese workers from 1970 to 1975 to Zambia to build the TAZARA Railway, the largest aid project then. TAZARA Railway, was built to connect the mines on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia to the seaport of Tanzania. [2]
With the take off in trade relations in the 2000s, growing from $100m in 2000 to $2.8 billion in 2010, Chinese investors in Zambia include large enterprises in mining and infrastructure, but also small businesses owners in areas like retail and even agriculture. The remarkable sight of a family of Chinese chicken farmers that moved to Zambia was the subject of a profile in the BBC News program From Our Correspondent with the reporter observing: "It sounds extraordinary but these Chinese businessmen and women spotted an opportunity to make a bit of money raising chickens on small farms in Zambia. [3] They upped sticks and travelled 11,000km (7,000 miles) from their homes to do just that." [3]
China remains one of the major investors in the mining sector of Zambia. [4] They have also widened their investments to mining support activities which has required experts from China. This all in all has also contributed to the increase of the chinese population in Zambia.
In April 2005, An explosives factory at the site of a mine in Chambishi exploded killing over 50 workers, mostly Zambian. [5] [6] The incident and rapid increase in Chinese migration raised the level of discontent towards Chinese mining investors, turning the issue of Chinese investors and migration into a political issue during both the 2006 Zambian general election and the 2011. [5]
Zambia is a leading exporter of copper and Chinese investment in the mining sector has been considerable. Chinese investment in mines has accompanied the migration of Chinese owners and managers. In 2018, a Chinese firm launched a $832 million copper mine, [7] setting Zambia's mining sector on a recovery path with 5,000 new jobs, [8] and deepening ties between the Chinese and Zambian people.
There were 19,845 Chinese people living in Zambia in September 2014 according to the Home Affairs ministry in data provided to respond to questions raised in parliament. [9]
In 2019, this number quadrupled to 80,000. [1] This rapid growth has reignited internal debates about an alleged takeover of Zambia.
During the 2006 election, Michael Sata the opposition presidential candidate lost after campaigning on rhetoric that China exploited the country and turned it into a "dumping ground." [5] Following his loss, in his stronghold of Lusaka, rioting broke out against Chinese businesses. [5]
In the following election in 2011, he would again campaign against Chinese investors, lambasting them for "taking over" Zambia.
Tensions have arisen between mine managers and local workers. In February 2010 a Chinese mine manager was murdered by a Zambian worker. [10]
Three days after indefinitely closing Lantian restaurant in Lusaka's Longacres area for discriminating against Zambians, Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa closed Chinese-owned Angels Barbershop at Arcades Shopping Mall for discriminating against Blacks. [11]
The Barbershop was also found displaying their prices in Chinese contrary to the Food and Health Act. “We had a tip off from a whistle blower who took his son to cut hair but was told K300 as price just to put him off. When he agreed to pay, they then changed their mind and said the Barbershop was actually closed and had to leave”, said the Mayor.
Later, in a statement released to the media, Mr. Sampa said that he had reviewed events last week and over the weekend as regards his monitoring and conduct towards some business houses and accepted his error in judgment of physically going to the business premises instead of engaging relevant offices and institutions. [12]
The brutal murder of three Chinese factory bosses in Zambia, allegedly killed by disgruntled employees over the weekend, rekindled tensions over China's strong presence in the country. [13] The local press reported the three victims, who were found dead in their burnt out factory, were killed by aggrieved employees of their textile business in Makeni, a suburb of the capital Lusaka.
Zambia is a developing country, and it achieved middle-income status in 2011. Through the first decade of the 21st century, the economy of Zambia was one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, and its capital, Lusaka, the fastest-growing city in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Zambia's economic performance has stalled in recent years due to declining copper prices, significant fiscal deficits, and energy shortages.
Ndola is the third largest city in Zambia and third in terms of size and population, with a population of 475,194, after the capital, Lusaka, and Kitwe, and the second largest in terms of infrastructure development after Lusaka. It is the industrial and commercial center of the Copperbelt, Zambia's copper-mining region, and capital of Copperbelt Province. It lies just 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the border with DR Congo. It is also home to Zambia's first modern stadium, the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Kitwe is the third largest city in terms of infrastructure development and second largest city in terms of size and population in Zambia. With a population of 517,543 Kitwe is one of the most developed commercial and industrial areas in the nation, alongside Ndola and Lusaka. It has a complex of mines on its north-western and western edges.
The Tazara Railway, also called the Uhuru Railway or the Tanzam Railway, is a railway in East Africa linking the port of Dar es Salaam in east Tanzania with the town of Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia's Central Province. The single-track railway is 1,860 km (1,160 mi) long and is operated by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).
Zambia Railways (ZR) is the national railway company of Zambia, one of the two major railway organisations in Zambia. The other system is the binational TAZARA Railway (TAZARA) that interconnects with the ZR at Kapiri Mposhi and provides a link to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.
Kabwe is the capital of the Zambian Central Province and the Kabwe District, with a population estimated at 202,914 at the 2010 census. Named Broken Hill until 1966, it was founded when lead and zinc deposits were discovered in 1902. Kabwe also has a claim to being the birthplace of Zambian politics as it was an important political centre during the colonial period.
Mufulira is a town in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Mufulira means "Place of Abundance and Peace". The town developed around the Mufulira Copper Mine in the 1930s. The town also serves as the administrative capital of Mufulira District.
Mazabuka is a town in the Southern Province of Zambia. It is the capital of Mazabuka District, one of the thirteen administrative units in the Southern Province.
ZCCM Investments Holdings is a successor company to Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited, of Zambia.
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa. Lusaka is in the southern part of the central plateau at an elevation of about 1,279 metres (4,196 ft). As of 2019, the city's population was about 3.3 million, while the urban population is estimated at 2.5 million in 2018. Lusaka is the centre of both commerce and government in Zambia and connects to the country's four main highways heading north, south, east, and west. English is the official language of the city administration, while Bemba, Tonga, Lenje, Soli, Lozi, and Nyanja are the commonly spoken street languages.
People's Republic of China – Zambia relations refers to the current and historical relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Zambia.
'Lumwana is a mining town located in Mwinilunga District, within the North-Western Province of Zambia.
Mining in Zambia produces several minerals and is a critical part of the country's economy. Copper comprises 70% of Zambia's total export earnings, and the country produces about 20% of the world's emeralds. Mineral resources are distributed throughout the country. Zambia produced 763,287 metric tons of copper in 2022.
The history of rail transport in Zambia began at the start of the twentieth century.
Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) is a Zambian electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply company with operations in Zambia and Nigeria. The company is listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange
A komboni is a type of informal housing compound or shanty town common to Zambia, particularly the capital city of Lusaka. It is characterized by a low income and a high population density. Kombonis typically began as housing for employees of a particular company, estate, or mine. An estimated 35% of Zambians live in urban areas, and kombonis exist in many of them. It is estimated that 80% of the population of Lusaka live and work in these areas.
Chambishi is a town in Kalulushi District in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. According to the 2021 Census its population stands at slightly above 11,000. It is located on the T3 road between the cities of Kitwe and Chingola.
Nchanga Copper mine, previously the Chingola Copper mine, is an underground and open-pit cobalt and copper mine in Chingola, in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. It is the largest copper mine in Africa. It is owned by the Konkola Copper Mines, a joint venture between Vedanta Resources and the state mining company of Zambia.
