PREVIEW: Zambian media curtailed as China's Hu flies inFred Chela, dpa

Feb 2, 2007, 17:30 GMT

Lusaka (dpa0 - Chinese president Hu Jintao was arriving in Zambia Saturday under very tight security, with media drastically reduced to just five camera personnel and two photo-journalists meeting him.

Information Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda also said journalists would also not be allowed to ask Hu any questions, in order to 'avoid overcrowding' him.

Nyirenda denied any gagging of the media. Observers said the measures were seen as exerted pressure by Chinese officials in view of Zambian media interest particularly in human rights.

Patriotic Front President Michael Sata and his officials have also been denied invitations to events following their criticism of the Chinese presence in Zambia, repeatedly accusing the Chinese of trade exploitation.

Hu's talks with Zambian counterpart Levy Mwanawasa were expected to focus on trade which has dramatically expanded.

Talks were expected to centre on mining, agriculture, road infrastructure development, telecommunications, water and sanitation and the hospitality industry, against a backdrop of Zambia?s vast copper, cobalt and other rich mineral wealth.

Former economic advisor to the Mwanawasa administration Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika described Hu's visit as an 'ideal' chance to open a new chapter of trade cooperation based on fair cooperation, without one side dictating to the other.

When Zambia privatized mines and state enterprises, mine and other investors were given lucrative incentives such non-payment of tax for considerable periods.

Lusaka economist David Punabantu lamented: 'These guys exported huge profits back to countries of origin and wound their business, leaving workers in the lurch.'

He added: 'The Zambian economy should begin to tick aggressively especially that copper prices on the international market hovered around 6,000 dollars a ton.'