The Chinese-built Itimpi Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Station in Zambia was officially commissioned in Kitwe of Copperbelt Province on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy sector.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema attended the inauguration ceremony and delivered a speech to mark the opening of the facility.
Hichilema said electricity generation lays the foundation for the development of Zambia's agriculture and mining industries and is critical to the country's transition from a natural resource exporter to a manufacturer of high value-added products.
He pointed out that the operation of the Itimpi power station is a significant step for the country to respond to climate change, promote economic development and diversify its energy sources.
Powered by solar energy, it is estimated the the power station will generate over 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and help enhance the capacity of local power grids.
"This solar plant actually speaks to us greening the economy, speaks to us ensuring that there's a just transition, that we increase the mix in the country, the energy mix that is," said Collins Nzovu, Zambian Minister of Green Economy and Environment.
Local residents hope tha the newly-launched power generation facility will help deliver a stable electricity supply in a region which has regularly faced power cuts in the past, disrupting their business activities.
"Some of us there, we have barber shops. We are using electricity and when there is a shortage of electricity, it means we are not working, so as they are officially opening this, it means load-shedding will be reduced, our business will be moving well," said Crispin Chirundu, a local business owner.
Chinese-built solar PV power station officially commissioned in Zambia
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
