On the afternoon of February 25, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Zambian counterpart Rupiah Banda at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state spoke highly of the new progress made in the development of bilateral ties, agreeing to make joint efforts to push bilateral friendly cooperative relationship for all-round and in-depth development.

Hu said that China-Zambia friendship enjoys a long history and is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago, China-Zambia relations have been continuously consolidated and strengthened under the careful cultivation and joint promotion of the generations of leaders of the two countries. Both sides have conducted cooperation in a wide range of areas and achieved fruitful results. The projects related to Zambia under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are being implemented in an all-round manner. China is satisfied with the bilateral relationship and appreciates Zambia's support in international affairs, Hu said.

Hu said that China attaches great importance to developing ties with Zambia and is ready to join hands with Zambia to push bilateral friendly cooperative relations to a new level in the following four aspects. First, consolidate and develop a political relationship of sincerity and trust. Both sides should promote sustained, sound and steady development of bilateral ties from a height of China-Zambia friendship for generations and support each other on major issues concerning their respective core interests. Second, expand and deepen economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefit. Hu said China would work with Zambia based on the principle of mutual benefit, emphasis on practical results and pursuit of common development to carry out the already-agreed cooperative projects on schedule and launch new programs step by step. He called on the two countries to jointly do well in the building of the Zambia-China trade and economic cooperation zone in Zambia, well implement the cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and expand cooperation in agriculture, mineral resources, infrastructure, among others. Hu said China would support businesses with a strong capacity and good qualifications to invest in Zambia. Third, enrich and promote humanities exchanges in various forms. Hu urged both sides to further expand cooperation in the areas of education, culture, public health and journalism and deepen mutual understanding and the traditional friendship. Fourth, enhance coordination and cooperation in international areas and multilateral affairs. China appreciates Zambia’s adoption of the non-alignment policy and the good-neighborly and friendly policy and is ready to further strengthen cooperation with Zambia in coping with the global issues such as the international financial crisis, climate change, food security and poverty reduction so as to jointly safeguard the rights and interests of developing nations.

Banda said that Zambia-China friendship enjoys a time-honored history and the generations of leaders of the two countries have made important contributions to the development of bilateral ties. The friendly cooperative relations between the two countries enjoy a very solid foundation. With the joint efforts of both sides, the two countries have established strong friendly and cooperative ties with mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas progressing smoothly and the friendship between both peoples deepening continuously. The Zambian side is satisfied with the enormous achievements made in the development of bilateral ties and sincerely thanks for the disinterested assistance China has offered to Zambia’s economic development over the years. Banda said the Zambian people will never forget the sacrifices the Chinese government and people have made in helping with the African country’s development. He spoke highly of the enormous achievements of China’s economic and social development as well as its important role in tackling the global financial crisis. Banda said that his country would work more closely with China to deepen and expand bilateral friendly cooperative relations and enhance cooperation and exchanges in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, minerals, education and culture. Zambia is also ready to coordinate and cooperate more closely with China in international and global issues and offer mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interest and major concerns. Banda reaffirmed its firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Hu said as a good friend and good partner of African countries, China has always been committed to consolidating China-Africa friendship and enhancing China-Africa cooperation. The fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Egypt last November. At the meeting, China announced eight new measures on pushing forward China-Africa cooperation and promoting Africa’s sustainable development. Hu said China would make joint efforts with African countries including Zambia to earnestly implement these new measures and to advance the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.

Banda said China has always supported the cause of national independence of African countries and has played a major role in pushing for the development of the African continent. The FOCAC has built an effective platform for enhancing Africa-China cooperation and is of landmark significance. The measures China announced to promote Africa-China cooperation are being implemented smoothly, which is of great significance to developing bilateral cooperation. He said Africa regarded China as an important strategic partner and was ready to further advance strategic partnership with China to keep the relationship on the track of sound and steady development.

After their talks, Hu and Banda witnessed the signing of several cooperative documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao held a welcome ceremony for President Banda at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chen Changzhi, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC Ablet Abduréshit, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League Li Chong'an, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin attended the welcome ceremony.