Who will act as President when Sata, Chikwanda leave for China today?

PRESIDENT Michael Sata is expected to arrive in China, Sanya today for a regional economic forum and State visit.

President Sata

But who will act as Head of State since even Alexander Chikwanda the man he entrusts power to will be in his entourage.

Will PF Secretary General and Justice Minister Winter Kabimba act, or is it Sylvia  Masebo or Geofrey Mwamba?

According to a tentative programme made available by the Zambian Embassy in Beijing, the President is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA) to be held from April  6-8 under the theme “Asia Seeking Development For All: Restructuring, responsibility and Co-operation”.

Mr Sata will be among 25 heads of State at the forum to be held on the coastal island of Boao south of Bejing.

Other high profile participants include International Monetary Fund chief Christine Largarde.

More than 2,000 participants including Government representatives and captains of industry will attend this year’s conference.

BOAO Forum is a prestigious meeting that hosts high level discussions for leaders from Government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on most pressing issues in the world.

Before proceeding for his State visit, President Sata is expected to hold bilateral talks with his host, Chinese President Xi Jingping before signing bilateral agreements at Sheraton Hotel in Sanya, Hainan Province.

He will then be expected to proceed to Shenzen, an area that has recorded fast economic transformation, to deliberate issues surrounding economic zones that have helped uplift the area’s economic status.

President Sata will later hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Kequiang and chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Part Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Accompanying the President will be Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Emmanuel Chenda from Commerce and Foreign Affairs Minister Effron Lungu.