Li Peng Meets Zambian President

Li Peng Meets Zambian President

Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, met with Zambian President Frederick Chiluba Wednesday.

Li said he is pleased to meet with Chiluba again and recalled his pleasant visit to Zambia three years ago.

He expressed the belief that Chiluba's visit would push bilateral ties to a new height and open a new chapter in Sino-Zambian relations.

Li gave high regard to Sino-Zambian friendship and cooperation, saying that the two countries are trustworthy friends.

He said he is pleased to know that the Sino-Zambian textile joint venture has been running well, and that China encourages its enterprises to set up operations in Africa for cooperation that would benefit both sides.

The chairman expressed the hope that the governments and entrepreneurs of both countries will make efforts to further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Africa is vast in area and rich in resources, its economic backwardness is mainly due to the old and irrational international political and economic order, Li said.

Li said China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000 is of great significance as it provides an opportunity for China and African countries to discuss major issues of common concern.

Chiluba said African countries have been enjoying China's sympathy, support and help both before and after their independence, adding that Sino-Zambian relations have been an epitome of Sino-African relations.

African countries are in a period of transition and face many new issues, Chiluba said, adding that Zambia is earnest in learning from the Chinese experience and expects to maintain its friendship with China and continue to get help from China.

He stressed that establishment of a new world order requires further solidarity and cooperation between China and African countries and that the Beijing forum marks the beginning of a new stage in Sino-African relations.

President Chiluba is here for an unofficial visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. He also attended the opening ceremony of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Tuesday.

This is Chiluba's second trip to China since he assumed the presidency in 1991.

Accompanying Chiluba on his visit are Foreign Minister Kelly Walubita, Minister in the President's Office Eric Silwamba and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Newstead Zimba.

In addition to Beijing, the Zambian guests will visit Shandong and Hunan provinces, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Shanghai Municipality.