China and Zambia signed a batch of cooperative documents on economy and technology Tuesday, vowing to refresh their traditional friendship with new energy.

In talks with Zambian Vice President Lupando Augustine Festus Mwape, Vice President Zeng Qinghong spoke highly of Sino-Zambian traditional friendship and extended China's appreciation for Zambia's support for the one-China policy.

Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 41 years ago, China and Zambia have enjoyed good bilateral relations, with increasing political trust, frequent high-level visits, coordination in international affairs and cooperation in various fields.

China-Zambia relations have kept moving forward despite the changes of international and domestic situations, said Zeng.

Zeng suggested the two countries make joint efforts to maintain high-level visits, explore new ways of mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen consultations in international affairs in a bid to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Mwape, grateful for China's consistent political and economic assistance, deemed China Zambia's "all-weather friend."

China, which backed Zambia's struggle for independence from colonialism in the 1960s, has been standing with the African country as it was, Mwape said.

Zambia gives priority to developing relations with China, said Mwape, hoping that Chinese firms could invest in Zambia and that the two countries would promote cooperation in such fields as agriculture, mining, infrastructure and tourism.

Mwape arrived in Beijing on Monday. Before coming to Beijing, he visited Shenzhen and Guangzhou cities in south China's Guangdong Province and the business hub of Shanghai in east China.

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2005)