YESTERDAY we were discussing how Zambia can benefit from the newly announced Chinese policy incentive of zero-tariff charges on import from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing. Economist Dr Trevor Hambayi argues that Zambia must own at least 60 per cent of its mines and establish direct marketing links with China if it is to enjoy the full benefit of this policy. We agreed. Dr Hambayi is right that direct links to China matter. It makes little sense for Zambian copper to reach China through complicated offshore marketing channels that deny the country maximum benefit. We need transparency in mineral marketing. We need to know who buys our copper, where it is sold, at what price, through which...