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 Feb. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Li Xueren)  Photo Gallery>>>

    LUSAKA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- 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.

    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.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa in Lusaka, capital of Zambia on Feb. 3, 2007. Hu Jintao held talks with Mwanawasa Saturday and attended a signing ceremony of the cooperative documents of the two countries. (Xinhua Photo/Ju Peng) Photo Gallery>>>

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    President Hu: China-Africa economic co-op mutually beneficial

    LUSAKA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Saturday that economic cooperation between China and Africa is mutually beneficial and carried out on an equal footing.

    Hu, who arrived here earlier in the day for a state visit to Zambia, made the remarks at a banquet hosted by his Zambian counterpart Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.

    Chinese, Zambian presidents meet on enhancing ties

    LUSAKA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his Zambian counterpart Levy Patrick Mwanawasa in Lusaka on Saturday to discuss ways of enhancing friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

    Hours after his arrival, President Hu and his Zambian counterpart Mwanawasa started their talks on furthering bilateral relations.