LUSAKA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Friday officially handed over the Chinese-translated edition of the Zambia Tourism Investment Guidebook, the first of its kind, to the Chinese Embassy.

Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba presented the guidebook to Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism offices.

In his remarks, Han said that choosing Mandarin as the first foreign language for translation underscores the strengthening ties between the two nations.

The translation of the guidebook, especially as the very first one in a foreign language, is far more than just a linguistic exercise, he said, adding that it reflects a forward-looking approach to growth and prosperity.

The Chinese ambassador said the release of the guidebook will help bridge Zambia's vast tourism potential with the interest and capacity of Chinese investors.

"It directly addresses a key barrier, access to clear, reliable and locally contextualized information, and enables Chinese businesses to explore opportunities with greater clarity and confidence," he said.

He said that over 100 million Chinese tourists travel globally each year and expressed optimism that Zambia could attract a significant share of that number.

On his part, the Zambian minister said the development of the guidebook would not only help attract more Chinese tourists and investors but also forms part of a broader strategy to deepen comprehensive and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

"This initiative is not only about incentivizing potential Chinese investors but also about making it easier for them to identify viable investment opportunities," he said.

He added that the decision to create a Mandarin version anticipates an increase in Chinese visitors following Zambia's waiver of visa requirements for Chinese nationals.

The guidebook, Sikumba noted, was developed in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization as part of ongoing efforts to position Zambia as a premier investment destination.

According to him, the guide outlines Zambia's diverse investment opportunities in the tourism sector, enabling policies and regulatory environment, and a wide range of incentives available for investors.

He said that translating the guidebook into Mandarin is intended to make essential information more accessible to Chinese investors and enhance their engagement with Zambia's tourism sector. ■