Together China and Zambia will improve?political and
economic cooperation and strengthen dialogue based on the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, said a joint
communiqué?from the two countries issued in Lusaka
yesterday.
The communiqué was signed by Zambian President Levy Patric
Mwanawasa and visiting President Hu Jintao.
Strengthening of political cooperation
During Hu's visit, leaders of the two countries had in-depth
exchanges of views in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and reached
broad agreement on building on the success of the Beijing Summit of
the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China-Zambia political and economic
relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual
interest, said the communiqué.
The two sides noted with satisfaction the healthy and steady
growth of China-Zambia friendship and cooperation based on the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, since the two countries
established diplomatic ties 42 years ago, it said.
The two countries agreed to intensify consultation and dialogue,
expand mutually beneficial cooperation, increase people-to-people
and cultural interactions and strengthen international cooperation
to boost the friendly ties, it said.
Both countries pledged to continue to support each other on
matters concerning their sovereignty, territorial integrity,
national stability and political and economic development, said the
communiqué, noting Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to the
one-China policy and its opposition to "Taiwan independence" in any
form.
Both sides agreed to strengthen consultation on international
and regional issues, work together to uphold the interests of
developing countries, promote South-South cooperation and boost
North-South dialogue in a common effort to achieve the world's
long-term peace and common prosperity, it said.
On FOCAC's positive role in boosting China-Africa relations, the
two countries hailed the FOCAC Beijing Summit, which was held in
November 2006, as a huge success and another milestone in the
history of China-Africa ties.
Promotion of economic ties
The two sides also agreed that their cooperation will be focused
on infrastructure, agriculture, mining and human resources
development, the communiqué said.
It?said Zambia recognizes China as a market economy, and
both countries will encourage their business communities to enter
into cooperation for mutual benefit.
In addition, the two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in
culture, education, health, tourism and aviation, it said.
One day earlier, Hu announced a package of measures designed to
further boost bilateral relations, including debt relief, expanding
Zambian tariff-free exports to China, setting up an economic zone
in Zambia, and assistance in the construction of infrastructure and
other facilities.
In the communiqué, Mwanawasa expressed his appreciation to China
for the selfless assistance over the years, while Hu applauded
Zambia's remarkable achievements in economic development and its
contribution to peace.
Zambia is the fourth leg of Hu's eight-nation Africa tour, which has taken
him to Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan. He will also visit Namibia,
South Africa, Mozambique and the Seychelles.
Hu's Africa trip comes only three months after the Beijing
Summit of FOCAC. At the summit, leaders of China and 48 African
countries discussed how to develop China-Africa relations and
promote unity and cooperation among developing countries.
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2007)
