China speaks on immigration concerns

China has dismissed allegations that its nationals are taking over local jobs at the expense of Malawians, saying the matter is being blown out of proportion.

Since the launch of diplomatic relations between the two countries during the Bingu wa Mutharika administration, there has been an influx of Chinese nationals into the country for business and work in projects.
But speaking in Lilongwe following the signing of the third phase of a technical agreement for Malawi Parliament between Beijing and Lilongwe, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qingyang lamented what he described as a bad mindset on the presence of Chinese nationals in the country.
He said: “We are not taking over jobs, on the contrary, we are creating jobs. I am 100 percent certain of that. Many Malawians are getting jobs in various projects and learning skills from their Chinese counterparts. They are leaving these jobs better skilled and taking up jobs they could not have taken before.”
He said there was need for a general change of mindset by Malawians on the matter, urging the media to help shape better relations between the two nations. Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe defended the continued presence of Chinese workers under the agreement saying Malawi needs technical experts.