Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message of condolences to Zambian President Edgar Lungu over the passing of Kenneth Kaunda, former president of the Republic of Zambia, who died at 97 on June 17.

Xi hailed Kaunda as an internationally renowned leader of African independence movements, politician, social activist and the founder of China-Zambia ties who actively promoted bilateral cooperation in various fields throughout his life. He said the Chinese people will always remember his outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral ties.

Kaunda announced that Zambia would establish diplomatic relations with China on October 24, 1964, the day after Zambia declared its independence. With the efforts of both sides, China and Zambia soon officially built diplomatic ties and sent ambassadors to each other on October 29 that year.

"I would like to work with President Lungu to deepen the traditional friendship between China and Zambia, expand friendly cooperation in various fields and push forward the cause of China-Zambia friendship for the benefit of the two countries and two peoples," Xi said in his message.

Kaunda visited China several times from the 1960s to the 2010s. He met and talked with Chinese leaders in both Beijing and Zambian capital Lusaka and strived to promote China-Zambia ties.