Zambia’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe met with China’s foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stated that last year, the two heads of state jointly declared the upgrade of China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, setting bilateral relations on a new path.

China’s foreign minister noted that China values Zambia's commitment to the one-China principle and is prepared to strengthen the foundation of mutual trust, enhance practical cooperation, and continue supporting each other on issues related to each country's core interests, Xinhua news agency reports.

He urged both sides to collaborate on jointly activating the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, coordinate comprehensive development along the route, assist Zambia in converting its resource advantages into developmental momentum, and improve its capacity for independent development and industrialisation.  

Wang also updated Haimbe on the outcomes of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, stating that China will concentrate on advancing comprehensive reforms to drive Chinese modernisation, creating new opportunities for developing countries such as Zambia. 

He added that China is eager to enhance the exchange of governance experience with Zambia, assist it in finding a development path tailored to its national conditions, and support its modernisation efforts. 

Haimbe congratulated China on the successful outcome of the plenum, expressing Zambia's eagerness to learn from the CPC's successful party governance practices to enhance its own governance capacity and better serve the Zambian people.

He added that Zambia values its longstanding friendship with China and will continue to uphold the one-China principle, supporting China in maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“President Hichilema paid a successful visit to China last year. He is looking forward to attending the new FOCAC summit and believes that the summit will be a complete success,” said Haimbe.

The foreign minister also stated that Zambia aims to use the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations as an opportunity to advance the development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.