China will unswervingly pursue a policy of promoting the traditional Sino-Zambian friendship and cementing bilateral cooperation, said President Hu Jintao Wednesday during his meeting with Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa.

 

Hu, who is at the UN headquarters in New York to attend the UN summit on the 60th anniversary of its founding, said he and Mwanawasa reached many important consensuses for enhancing Sino-Zambian relations two years ago in Beijing. In the past two years, thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, many new achievements were made in bilateral friendly cooperation in various fields, he said.

 

 

Bilateral relations have witnessed frequent exchange of high-level visits, continued expansion of trade and economic cooperation, a bilateral trade that has reached record volumes and closer bilateral consultation and cooperation in international affairs, Hu said.

 

Hu reaffirmed the Chinese government's unswerving policy of promoting the traditional Sino-Zambian friendship, cementing bilateral friendly cooperation, adding that China stands ready to work with Zambia to boost political mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, push the bilateral relations to a new level so that the two countries will be good friends and partners forever.

 

On the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Hu said it has been playing an important role in strengthening the bilateral dialogue and enforcing pragmatic cooperation and the two sides will have the opportunity to exchange views on issues of common concern and ways to promote China-Africa friendship at the Sino-African Summit scheduled for 2006 in Beijing.

 

Mwanawasa said that he fully agreed with the Chinese president on bilateral relations, reiterated that his government will resolutely pursue the one-China policy and is willing to join China in enhancing bilateral friendship and cooperation.

 

He said he looked forward to attending the summit due to be held at the China-Africa Cooperation Forum next year in China.

 

The two leaders also exchanged views on issues of UN reforms.

 

Hu pointed out that China and Africa are all-weather friends and partners and that China understands concerns of African countries on the UN reforms, respects the Ezulwini Consensus and supports the notion of giving priority to increasing the representation of developing countries, especially that of the African countries, on the UN Security Council.

 

Mwanawasa said he appreciated Hu's speech at the Security Council summit earlier in the day, citing in particular China's appeal for giving more attention to the calls of Africa.

 

He stressed that African countries are willing to keep close consultation and coordination with China on relevant issues.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2005)