Chinese envoy Shi-Ting winds up tour of duty

Chinese ambassador Shi-Ting Wang is leaving Malawi after a two-year tour of duty that saw him playing a key role in the setting up of Beijing’s infrastructure and high-profile investments in the country.

Shi-Ting arrived in Malawi in March 2016 and some of the cooperation projects the two countries have signed during his tour include the Kam’mwamba Coal-Powered Plant and the $23 million Malawi National Optic Fibre Backbone Programme.

Speaking at a farewell reception organised by the Malawi Government in Lilongwe on Thursday, Shi-Ting said he is optimistic of Malawi’s future.

“New cooperation projects are underway with fruitful results. In the past two years, we have worked closely to tackle the power shortages. We have also pushed forward projects covering multiple areas, including infrastructure, agricultural technology, disaster relief and public security.

“These projects will significantly improve the development of Malawi and increase its capability of independent development.

“Again, the past few years, China has provided scholarships to about 100 Malawians every year. In the same period, we also provided about 600 short-term training opportunities for Malawians, annually. Our relationship is young, but it has grown into an exemplary one. Our practical cooperation has generated rich outcomes,” explained Shi-Ting.

He said China is also providing humanitarian assistance (worth K7 billion), financial assistance of K13 billion for the construction of five community technical colleges and 100 police and eight protocol vehicles, among others.

Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Man Power Development Francis Kasaila said the humanitarian assistance, capacity-building programmes to technical expertise that Malawi has witnessed under Ambassador Shi-Ting sets the tone for future assistance from China.

“The momentum that has been created should be sustained for the next 10 years for our mutual benefit. We believe that the achievements made over the next decade will surpass those attained in the last decade,” he said.

Shi-Ting is the fourth Chinese envoy after the two countries established diplomatic ties, over 10 years ago. n