Zambia is set to host Chinese Premier Li Qiang, marking the first visit by a Chinese premier to the country in 28 years.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment, as Zambia emerges from a financial crisis, with Beijing eager to access the country’s commodities and develop a bigger market for its exporters.

China is Zambia’s largest official creditor with $5.7 billion owed and is eager to highlight countries that are model members of President Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Li Qiang’s arrival in Lusaka on Wednesday is part of a push to deepen China’s presence in the copper-rich country as Europe and the U.S. vie to become alternative benefactors now that Zambia’s $13.4 billion in debt is on a more sustainable repayment plan.

“Li aims to bolster China’s prese

See Full Page