Just FYI that Zambia also has long standing relationships with Russia.[1]
Top government officials in the science space speak Russian.
Also Chinese have been involved in SSA since the 60s e.g. South African Boarder War (aka Namibian War of Independence), which Zambia was also involved in. [2]
Finally most of east and southern Africa was Socialist from 50s/60s until the 90s (many still are), so it makes sense for them to be trading with China, the world power that is closest to their political inclinations. [3]
Other side is UK/US/EU axis, who are the ones who royally fucked it up in the first place (pun intended). [4]
I know who I would choose, if I were in their positon.
Top government officials in the science space speak Russian.
Also Chinese have been involved in SSA since the 60s e.g. South African Boarder War (aka Namibian War of Independence), which Zambia was also involved in. [2]
Finally most of east and southern Africa was Socialist from 50s/60s until the 90s (many still are), so it makes sense for them to be trading with China, the world power that is closest to their political inclinations. [3]
Other side is UK/US/EU axis, who are the ones who royally fucked it up in the first place (pun intended). [4]
I know who I would choose, if I were in their positon.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia%E2%80 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Border_War [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_socialism [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramble_for_Africa