NDOLA, Zambia - The construction of a state-of-the-art international airport in Zambia's Ndola city in the Copperbelt province by China's Avic International will bring about increased tourist flow in the country once completed, residents of the city said on Wednesday.

Mike Banda, one of the residents, said infrastructure development by Chinese was of modern standards. "Zambia needs such kind of state-of-the-art infrastructure, we should not lag behind as a country in terms of modern buildings," he said.

Banda said having such kind of modern infrastructure will boost investment in the mining industry and increase flow of tourists in the region.

"It is time Zambia start aggressively marketing of the tourism industry to the Chinese market, there is a huge tourism market in China that can bring in foreign income to the country," he said.

According to Banda, the bilateral relationship between China and Zambia should continue being strengthened as Zambia will learn a lot from China.

And Morgan Mutale, another resident, said every country was doing business with China and Zambia should utilize all avenues in growing its economy by partnering with Chinese in various economic sectors.

Recently, Ndola Mayor Amon Chisenga said Zambia should take advantage of the cooperation between the two countries to promote its tourism in China.

The Ndola international airport is expected to be completed in mid-2020. The facilities at the airport will include three aerodromes, a hotel, a cargo terminal and a business complex with a 3,500 meters runway.