Zambian gift of copper relief painting showcases local culture, friendship with China

A copper relief painting presented as a diplomatic gift from Zambia has shown the unique regional culture, rich resources and relations between China and the African country, said the curator of an exhibition in Beijing which showcases more than 670 representative gifts given and received by Chinese officials in diplomatic activities since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

The painting of an eagle was presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping by then Zambian President Michael Sata when he came to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in 2013.

“At the center of the painting is a copper sculpture of a majestic eagle, poised to take flight. The eagle is Zambia’s national bird, symbolizing independence and freedom, and is also a key element of the Zambian emblem. Below the eagle, a clear blue river winds its way across a vast expanse of land. Zambia is famous for the Zambezi River, the fourth-longest river in Africa. It has an extensive network of tributaries, connecting hundreds of small streams,” said Hou Chunyan, curator of the Exhibition of Diplomatic Gifts Received by China’s Leaders.

Zambia is known as the country of copper, with extensive, high-quality copper deposits and significant reserves. It also has a long history of copper craftsmanship, and its prestigious brass products are highly valued across the country.

“Zambia’s copper relief paintings feature a wide range of themes that reflect everyday life for many of its people, as well as depictions of birds and animals, pastoral landscapes, and more. The carving techniques are exceptional. This piece on display has rich layers and intricate craftsmanship, showcasing Zambia’s traditional artistry to its fullest,” she said.

When talking about Zambian copper products, the curator also mentioned the Tanzania-Zambia Railway. The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway line which runs between Dar es Salam in Tanzania and Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia was built with Chinese aid in the 1970s. The railway has become an important transport route for exporting Zambian copper ore. Hou said both the gift and the railway have witnessed the blossoming China-Africa relations.

This story introducing Zambia’s relief painting is an episode of the “Gifts of Friendship” series presented by China Media Group’s (CMG) English-language channel China Global Television Network (CGTN). The series focuses on the exquisite gifts sent to China by foreign countries which not only represent the cultural origin of their respective home countries, but also witness the historical friendship between China and these counterparts.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Survivors of a flood following a dam breach in eastern Sudan are appealing for assistance from local government to rescue the hundreds of people who remain missing and to secure alternative water sources for those affected.   Emergency responders are scrambling to determine the number of people still missing after the collapse of the Arbaat Dam in Red Sea State on Sunday. The floodwaters bursting through the dam submerged 20 surrounding villages, destroyed farms, and killed livestock.   Ongoing search and relief operations are also facing obstacles due to the destruction of roads.   “We lost everything, and we could barely rescue our families. The water washed away our farms, vehicles, livestock and crops. It’s the worst water flow I’ve seen in my life. We need the government to rescue people who are still stuck behind the mountain, we need them to dig wells so we can have clean water at least,” said Malehashim Mohamed, a farmer.   Located about 20 kilometers north of Port Sudan, the dam is built on a reservoir with a capacity of 25 million cubic meters and served as a major water source for the city. The reservoir was built to collect and store rainwater during the rainy season, guaranteeing year-round water access. 

The dam collapse now threatens to trigger acute water shortages throughout the region.   “I never saw such an amount of water in my life, we were lucky that we were awake, and we could escape with our children. We need the government to fix the roads and rescue other villagers, we want them to increase efforts and find alternative water sources for us and for millions of people,” said Malealsir Othman, a resident.   The United Nations reported that heavy rains and flooding have affected around 317,000 people across the war-torn country since June. The Sudanese Meteorological Authority expects the rains and flooding to continue until mid-September.   Flooding is a recurring problem in Sudan, typically occurring between June and October. Recent severe rains have resulted in significant loss of life and damage to farmland.