Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa met with visiting China's top legislator Wu Bangguo here Friday, exchanging views on issues relating to bilateral relationship as well as international and regional issues.

Mwanawasa said he is very happy to meet with Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee again after a short time, hailing that Zambia has very good relationship with China.

"China made great contribution to the independence of Zambia, We feel very grateful," he said.

Mwanawasa said this year marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Zambia and China.

"Over the last 40 years, the two countries have very good cooperation, China has given us a lot of assistance. We hope to work with China to strengthen the relationship further," he said.

Wu first conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao's sincere greetings to President Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa thanked for the greetings and invited Hu Jintao to visit Zambia when it is convenient for him.

Wu highly commended Mwanawasa for his achievement in developingthe good relationship between China and Zambia. He said President Mwanawasa is an old friend of Chinese people. His successful visitto China last year has great significance in improving exchanges and cooperation of various fields between the two countries.

Wu said this year marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia. Over the last 40 years, the relationship between China and Zambia has improved gradually. It has come into a complete, stable and developing new phase. The two countries have kept the momentum of high-level exchange visits.

"China and Zambia support with each other on politics, help with each other on economy. We have a lot of exchanges in culture and education, science and technology, health and tourism, we alsokeep consultation and cooperation in international affairs, this cooperation has become an example of south-south cooperation," he said.

Wu emphasized Chinese new leaders take great concern on developing China-Zambia relationship, regarding Zambia as reliable good friend, good partner, good brother.

"The purpose of my visit to Zambia is to keep the momentum of high level exchange visits between the two countries, promoting traditional friendship, promoting mutual benefit cooperation, pushing the China-Zambia relationship to a new level," he said.

Mwanawasa named some of the projects China has assisted to Zambia, like

China-invested Chambishi Coppermine and Zambia-China Mulugushi Textile.

"These projects have not only brought benefits to the Zambian people, but also pushed the local economic development," he said.

The president hoped the two countries can strengthen the cooperation in the areas of agriculture, mining and manufacturing.He also hoped more Chinese enterprises can invest in Zambia.

Wu said, we are very satisfied that China-assisted projects have brought great social and economic benefits. Though the scale of economy and trade cooperation between the two countries is not big, the developing momentum is very strong, it has great potential.

He said China and Zambia don't exist any historical and reality problem. The mutual complementary is very strong, it accords with the basic benefits of the two countries and the two peoples. He suggested the two sides explore a new way of enlarging and deepening mutual benefit cooperation, especially industry cooperation, injecting new vigor to the mutual relationship.

Mwanawasa reaffirmed Zambia will continue to support the "one China" policy, insisting Taiwan is a province of China. Wu is thankful for this commitment.

During the meeting, Wu actively commended the achievements the Zambian government has made in keeping social stability, national solidarity, anti-corruption, developing economy, improving people's living standard. He also commended the Zambian people for their efforts in exploring the way of development which is suitable for their own situation.

Wu wished Zambia prosperous and the people happiness.

The two sides also exchanged views on issued which are common concerned.

Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Raidi as well as Zambian National Assembly speaker, finance minister, trade and industry minister, tourism minister, transportation and communication minister, mine minister attended the meeting.

After the meeting, Wu and Mwanawasa attended the signing ceremony of Chinese and Zambian governments economic and technical cooperation agreement, nd later they met with the media.

Source: Xinhua