Chinese President Meets Zambian President

Chinese President Meets Zambian President

Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with Zambian President Frederick Chiluba Wednesday. Jiang extended a warm welcome to Chiluba for his second visit to China and his participation in the on-going China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000.

President Chiluba's first visit to China in 1993 and the frequent visits by Chinese leaders to Zambia have injected new vigor into bilateral ties, Jiang said, referring to the close mutual political support and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to its relations with Zambia, and is willing to join hands with Zambia to continue pushing forward bilateral ties, Jiang said, expressing the hope Sino-Zambian economic and trade cooperation would reach a higher level.

Jiang also spoke highly of President Chiluba's consistent dedication to the development of China-Zambia relations.

Chiluba agreed with Jiang on his evaluation over bilateral ties and thanked for China's long-term assistance to Zambia over the past years.

He briefed Jiang on the African situation and said Africa, economically backward, aspires to economic development. It is important for China and Africa to discuss the establishment of a new international political and economic order during the on-going forum.

Jiang said China and Africa have maintained long-term traditional and sincere friendship, and they share common interests and similar views on important world issues.

China's initiative to convene the China-Africa Cooperation Forum has received positive response from the African countries, Jiang said, voicing the conviction the forum would exert profound impact on China-Africa relations in the new century.

After the talks, the two presidents attended the signing ceremony of an agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.