LUSAKA — Zambian President Edgar Lungu has hailed China for its support towards the country’s economic development.

The president made the remarks while meeting with visiting State Councilor Wang Yong on June 6, who conveyed to the Zambian leader President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings.

Lungu appreciated the role that China played in supporting Zambia’s liberation struggle, as well as China’s support during the nation’s peace building periods.

He said that China is Zambia’s true friend and Zambia is fully confident in bilateral economic and trade cooperation as well as economic development, adding Zambia stands ready to work with China to further push forward bilateral friendly cooperative relations.

On his part, Wang hailed the relationship between the two countries which have existed for a long time, making the two countries good brothers and good partners.

Wang said China is willing to work with Zambia to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure construction, agriculture, human resources and industrial capacity in accordance with the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit last held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Reiterating China’s African policy featuring sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, Wang said China will actively promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and work with Zambia to promote mutual benefits and common development of the two countries.

Lungu and Wang also witnessed the signing of cooperative agreements between the two governments.

During his stay, Wang also attended the opening ceremony of the expansion project of the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital, and toured some Chinese enterprises based in Zambia.

Zambia’s Vice-President Inonge Wina (R) meets with visiting State Councilor Wang Yong in Lusaka, Zambia, June 6, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]