A Chinese railway company has signed a $2.26 billion contract with the Zambian government for a railway linking the landlocked nation with Malawi.
Experts said this will benefit Zambia's economy and accelerate Africa's economic integration.
The State-run China Railway Construction Corporation Ltd will build the 338-kilometer railway between central Zambia and Malawi Cheap Michael Brockers Jersey , linking Chipata, central Petauke and Serenje in Zambia within four years, read a statement on the company website on Thursday.
Yang Baorong, deputy director of African Studies of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the construction of the railway will boost Zambia's economy, especially its raw material exports.
"The railway project is significant for Zambia's copper exports since highways are its main transport infrastructure, which are costly and risky," Yang said, adding that the country heavily depends on copper exports.
The railway project will also strengthen the country's links to other African countries and accelerate the continent's economic integration, said Yang.
Zambian Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba said during the signing ceremony in Lusaka Wednesday that the railway project will benefit local and international trade once completed, the Lusaka Times reported.
"This project is meant to enhance regional and international trade through the Nacala Development Corridor with a direct economic impact on Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique," Mushimba said.
Zambia could become the main communication network in southern Africa as long as the infrastructure is adequately developed, Zambian ambassador to China Winnie Chibesakunda told the Global Times.
However, the project's future benefits remain unclear since raw material exports might only form a small part of the transport capacity, Yao Jiamei, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.
A complete industrial chain should also be developed along with the project if it hopes to provide long-term benefits, said Yao.
South Korean prosecutors on Sunday said they believe President Park Geun-hye conspired in criminal activities of a secretive confidante who allegedly manipulated government affairs and exploited her presidential ties to amass an illicit fortune — a damning revelation that may convince opposition parties to push for her impeachment.
FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2016, file photo, protesters wearing masks of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, left and Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime friend, in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean prosecutors on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, said they believe Park conspired in criminal activities of a secretive confidante who allegedly manipulated government affairs and exploited her presidential ties to amass an illicit fortune - a damning revelation that may convince opposition parties to push for her impeachment. The placards held by the protesters read: "Park Geun-hye should step down." (AP PhotoAhn Young-joon, File)
Prosecutors are planning to soon question Park, who has immunity but can be investigated, said Lee Young-ryeol, chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
Prosecutors on Sunday formally charged Park's longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, on suspicion of interfering with state affairs and bullying companies into giving tens of millions of dollars to foundations and businesses she controlled.
In a televised news conference, Lee said that based on the evidence, "the president was involved as a conspirator in a considerable part of the criminal activities by suspects Choi Soon-sil, Ahn Jong-beom and Jung Ho-sung." He was referring to two presidential aides who also were formally charged Sunday for allegedly helping Choi.
"However, because of the president's impunity from prosecution stated in Article 84 of the constitution, we cannot indict the president. The special investigation headquarters will continue to push for an investigation of the president based on this judgment," Lee said.
Park's office had no immediate comment Sunday.
Park is facing growing calls to resign over the scandal critics say has undermined the country's democracy. Although emboldened by a wave of mass protests, opposition parties have so far refrained from seriously pushing for Park's impeachment over fears of triggering a backlash from conservative voters and negatively impacting next year's presidential election.
However, there are growing voices within the opposition saying that an impeachment attempt is inevitable because it's unlikely Park will resign and give up her immunity.
Ahn Jong-beom, Park's former senior secretary for policy coordination, was charged with abuse of authority, coercion and attempted coercion over allegations that he pressured companies into making large donations toFinance > Real . Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys From China Wholesale Throwback Baseball Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Nike Basketball Jerseys