On July 31, 2024, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Zambian Foreign Minister Hampeh in Beijing.
Wang Yi welcomed Foreign Minister Hampei's visit to China on his first foreign visit, and said that looking back on the friendship and cooperation between China and Zambia since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relations between the two countries have outstanding people-to-people, strategic and just character. In the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, we have condensed the brotherhood between China and Africa with blood, demonstrated the true character of "truthfulness, amity and sincerity" through cooperation in the cause of development and revitalization, and issued the righteous voice of the "Global South" with unity in the changing international situation. Last year, the two heads of state jointly announced the upgrading of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, leading bilateral relations to a new journey. China appreciates Zambia's adherence to the one-China principle, and stands ready to work with Zambia to consolidate the foundation of mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. The two sides should jointly activate the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, coordinate the comprehensive development along the line, help Zambia transform its resource advantages into development momentum, and improve its independent development capacity and industrialization level. Wang Yi introduced the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, saying that China will further deepen reform in an all-round way around promoting Chinese-style modernization, which will bring new opportunities to developing countries, including Zambia.
Wang Yi said that China and Africa are good brothers, good friends and good partners. We share a common history and a common goal. China will continue to stand firmly with Africa to safeguard common interests and uphold fairness and justice. In September this year, the new summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing. We are ready to take this opportunity to work with African countries to host this grand event, inherit the traditional friendship between China and Africa, and push the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level.
Hanpei congratulated the successful convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and looked forward to learning from the successful experience of the CPC in governing the party, improving its own governance ability, and better serving the Zambian people. Hanbei said that Zambi is a good brother and good partner of like-minded people. Zambia cherishes the traditional friendship between Zambia and China, and will, as always, abide by the one-China principle and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zambia will always remember that the Chinese people sacrificed their precious lives for the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, and is willing to activate the Tanzania-Zambia Railway as soon as possible to build a bridge of friendship and accelerate the road of development. Last year, President President Ma paid a successful visit to China, and he is very much looking forward to attending the FOCAC summit in China, believing that the summit will be a complete success. Zambia is willing to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to promote greater development of the Zambia-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. We welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest in Zambia, and are willing to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, energy and mining fields.
The two sides pledged to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs. Hanpei said that the series of important global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping echo the common aspirations of the people of all countries in the world, and Zambia highly appreciates and will continue to actively participate in them. He thanked China for speaking out for African countries in the international community, saying that all countries should abide by the principles of peaceful coexistence and non-interference in internal affairs, and Zambia does not agree with the "zero-sum game".