By Racheal Julaye–LILONGWE
Five days after returning from Accra, Ghana, President Lazarus Chakwera again leaves the country on Tuesday for China for the Third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
This expo is slated for Changaha City from 29th June to July 2 2023 and Chakwera is expected to deliver an opening address; according to Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“Members of the public may wish to know that the visit is historical since it will be the first ever visit to the people’s Republic of China by His Excellency the president since assuming the high office of president,” read’s the ministry’s statement.
It adds the visit wil consolidate Malawi’s diplomatic ties with China and reaffirm the strategic economic and trade partnership between the two countries.
The expo will be held under the theme: “Common Development for a Shared Future”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Chakwera as a special guest with reports suggesting the Chinese Government will cover all costs of travel, accommodation, and logistics for the Malawi leader and his delegation.
This is Chakwera’s sixth foreign trip since March this year as he has also been Qatar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, United Kingdom and Ghana amid growing concerns that such trips are depleting the already forex shortage and inconsistent with austerity measures.
But government argues the president won’t stop going out if the benefits outweigh the travel costs.
