Zambian Mine Disaster: A Threat to Bilateral Relations with China
A 50-million-litre acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia threatens vital water sources and wildlife, prompting Zambian officials to seek expert help. The incident may significantly damage relationships with China, warn experts.
A recent environmental crisis in Zambia has arisen from a disastrous 50-million-litre acid spill at a Chinese-owned copper mine. This incident is now posing a significant threat to the diplomatic relations between Zambia and China, as experts highlight the potential long-term repercussions.
The acid spill has contaminated the Kafue River, a crucial waterway measuring 1,576 kilometers, which serves approximately 12 million residents, providing drinking water to five million individuals, including those in the capital, Lusaka. The immediate effects of this disaster have resulted in ecological devastation, with reports of dead fish discovered as far as 100 kilometers from the incident site.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has voiced urgent concerns, characterizing the situation as “a crisis that threatens people and wildlife along the Kafue” and has solicited assistance from environmental experts. Emmanuel Matambo, Research Director at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Africa-China Studies, emphasized that the environmental disaster is likely to lead to a deterioration in relations between the two nations.
The acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia poses a significant threat not only to the local environment and populace but also to diplomatic relations between Zambia and China. As the Zambian government calls for expert intervention, the ramifications of this environmental crisis are likely to resonate beyond immediate ecological concerns, potentially straining bilateral ties.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
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