On October 29, 1964, China and Zambia officially established diplomatic relations, which declared the beginning of China-Zambia friendship. The traditional friendship between China and Zambia is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. Recently, people from various circles of the two countries celebrated the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in various forms and wished the healthy and stable development of the bilateral relations.
Ambassador Li Jie wrote in the column of People's Daily that over the past 55 years, the forest of China-Zambia friendship has grown more luxuriant. Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping and Zambian President H.E. Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu have met for many times. Both leaders have chartered the direction for the development of China-Zambia relations. China-Zambia economic and trade cooperation is gaining strong momentum of development and the strong friendliness between the two peoples is deepening. Looking ahead, the governments and peoples of t1he two countries will work together to upgrade bilateral relations, vigorously promote the building of an even closer community of shared future between China and Zambia, and open a new chapter of China-Zambia friendship.
Zambian mainstream media, Times of Zambia, Daily Mail and Daily Nation, published special issues on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia. In the special issues, Ambassador Li Jie gives a comprehensive introduction to China-Zambia traditional friendship and exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, culture and other fields. The special issues also show pictures of the Tazara, Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and other major cooperation projects between China and Zambia as well as the activities of the "China-Zambia Cultural Year", highlighting the achievements of the cooperation between the two countries. Teachers from the Confucius Institute in the University of Zambia shared their experience in Chinese teaching in Zambia.
H.E. Rupiah Banda, the Fourth President of Zambia and President of the Zambia China Friendship Association (ZCFA), reviewed landmark events between China and Africa, including Africa’s support for China’s restoring of its lawful seat in the UN, the founding of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, African Union Headquarter aided by Chinese government. He spoke highly of the development of China-Zambia cultural exchanges and practical cooperation, and acclaimed China-Zambia relations as the model of exchanges and cooperation between two countries.
Dr. Kalombo Mwansa, Secretary-General of ZCFA told Times of Zambia in an interview that Zambia-China friendship was established on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment. The two sides support each other to achieve independence and development, whose cooperation continue to benefit the two peoples. He believes that Zambia-China relations will make greater development, to which ZCFA will make new contributions. He also refuted false claims that China is practicing “Neo-Colonialism” in Africa.
A number of local Chinese communities and enterprises have placed advertisements on mainstream media in Zambia, expressing sincere greetings to the Zambian people and best wishes for the traditional friendship between the two countries.