Sino-Zambian free trade zone announced

Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday a special economic and trade zone would be set up in Zambia, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070204/wl_asia_afp/chinaafricadiplomacyzambia_070204153709&quot; style="color:#FF0000;text-decoration:underline">AFP</a> reported. The zone, to be built between now and 2010, would give companies tax breaks and other incentives. Hu also announced more than US$800 million in investment and debt waivers to develop Zambia's copper mines, writing off almost US$8 million in debt and offering US$150,000 in humanitarian aid. Hu, who was in Zambia on an eight-nation African tour, had to reschedule his day because of protests from Zambian workers who claimed Chinese firms exploited them. China is the third-largest foreign investor in Zambia. Bilateral trade between the countries stood at US$316 million last year.