Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa spoke highly of the
long-term friendly cooperative relations with China, saying Zambia
appreciates China's help and support through all these years.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao
attends a welcoming ceremony held by his Zambian counterpart Levy
Patrick Mwanawasa, upon his arrival in Lusaka, capital of Zambia on
February 3, 2007.
Mwanawasa said on Friday in an interview with Zambia News and
Information Services that Zambia and China have enjoyed a good
cooperative relationship for a long time, and he was glad Chinese
President Hu Jintao could visit his country.
Mwanawasa said China helped Zambia in many ways, including
offering a large amount of fund on Zambia's mining, agriculture,
road and bridge constructions.
Mwanawasa also refuted the assertions that China's interest in
Africa is another type of colonialism.
Colonizing Africa means spoliating Africa's natural resources
and impoverishing its people, while on the contrary, what China is
doing in Africa is investing heavily, which will create many job
opportunities and help improve African people's living standards,
said Mwanawasa.
The president said Chinese people's joint efforts are one of the
driving forces behind China's great achievement, calling on Zambian
people to emulate the Chinese people.
Meanwhile, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda told media
that Hu's visit will further strengthen the friendly relations and
consolidate the traditional friendship between Zambia and
China.
Describing China as Zambia's "all-weather friend", Kaunda said
China offered aid and moral support for Zambia's struggle against
colonial rule.
Kaunda said bilateral relations between the two countries have
moved forward for these years. The Tanzara Railway built with the
assistance of China is the symbol of friendship and cooperation
between China and Africa.
Today, China is still playing an important role in some sectors
of Zambia's economy, the former president added.
Hu arrived in Lusaka on Saturday for a state visit to Zambia,
the fourth leg of his eight-nation tour of Africa. He has visited
Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan, and will visit Namibia, Mozambique,
South Africa and Seychelles.
(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2007)
