LUSAKA, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese nationals have had a positive bearing on Zambian communities where they live, results of a survey seen on Friday have shown.
The survey, conducted by a local think-tank, the Policy Monitoring and Research Center, was conducted to produce evidence-based data highlighting the various ways in which Chinese nationals in Zambia were integrated into the local society and how they were contributing to the socio-economic development in the country.
According to the findings, 63 percent of Zambians interviewed said they have benefited from Chinese nationals through job creation and incomes while 26 percent reported improvements in infrastructure such as roads and housing as a benefit received from the presence of Chinese living in the community.
The findings further show that 77 percent of Zambians reported that the Chinese work ethic had influenced their communities the most because of the professionalism, commitment, speed and the manner in which work or tasks are executed.
Other respondents also reported benefiting from the skills transfer and technology transfer from their Chinese counterparts as the Chinese nationals living within their communities were highly skilled and used advanced technological methods that have been passed on to Zambians.
But 57 percent of respondents cited limited interaction with the Chinese nationals as a challenge and this was mainly caused by communication challenges.
However despite the limited interaction, the Zambians reported that there was cultural exchange, with Zambians learning from their Chinese nationals.
Bernadette Deka, PMRC executive director said the survey will provide critical information to further enhance the rich economic and social relationship that exists between the two countries and provide an opportunity for the two governments to integrate their cultures.
"The Chinese culture of hard work has further been shared and adopted by Zambians as evidenced through the continuous growth of indigenous Zambian companies and businesses at both national and international levels," she said.
Chen Shijie, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy expressed gratitude that Chinese nationals have been commended by the Zambian people for their unselfish dedication and positive contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
The survey has also recommended that the Chinese Embassy in Zambia put in place an orientation program for Chinese entrants which should include helping them understand the Zambian culture as well as enhance social interactions.
The survey captured 1,000 Chinese nationals living in Zambia and 100 Zambians sharing communities with Chinese nationals.
It was conducted with the support from the "China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action" project which was initiated at the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2012, aimed at promoting exchanges and cooperation between China-Africa youths, women, and civil groupings.
