Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke highly of the friendship and cooperation between China and Zambia in the past decades since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1964 during his meeting with Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe in Beijing on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when welcoming Haimbe, who is paying an official visit to China from July 30 to August 2.
Taking the TAZARA railway line, which runs between Dar es Salam in Tanzania and Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia and was built with Chinese aid in the 1970s, as an example, Wang said both China and Zambia have cemented China-Africa brotherhood in the construction of the railway line, demonstrating the true character of sincerity, affinity and good faith through cooperation in mutual development and revitalization.
Wang also noted that the two heads of state jointly announced the upgrading of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2023, leading bilateral relations on a new journey.
Appreciating the Zambian side's adherence to the one-China principle, Wang said China stands ready to consolidate the foundation of mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation and continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.
The two sides should jointly activate the TAZARA Railway, coordinate comprehensive development along the line, help Zambia turn its resource advantages into development momentum, and enhance its independent development capacity and industrialization level, Wang added.
Noting China's modernization drive will bring new opportunities to developing countries, including Zambia, Wang said China is willing to strengthen the exchange of governance experience with Zambia, support Zambia in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and help Zambia advance its modernization process.
Noting the next summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in Beijing in September, Wang said China is ready to take this opportunity to work with African countries to make this event a success, carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Africa, and take the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level.
Haimbe said that Zambia and China are good brothers and good partners with the same interests. He added that Zambia cherishes its traditional friendship with China and will, as always, abide by the One-China principle and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Zambia will always remember the precious lives of the Chinese people for the construction of the TAZARA Railway and is willing to activate the TAZARA Railway as soon as possible to build a bridge of friendship and accelerate the road of development, Haimbe added.
Haimbe also said the Zambian side is willing to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to push for greater development of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
More Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest in Zambia, and the two countries are willing to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy and mining, he added.
The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs.
(Cover via CGTN)