Presidents of China and Zambia on Thursday pledged joint efforts to bringing bilateral relationship to a new high.

The pledge came out of their hour-long summit talks in Beijing as China rolled out the red carpet for Rupiah Banda, who was on his first state visit to the country since becoming Zambian President in 2008.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (front L) and Zambian President Rupiah Banda (front R) inspect the guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing, China, Feb. 25, 2010. Banda arrived here Wednesday to kick off his first state visit to China, strengthening the ties of friendship. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Banda was welcomed by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

"I highly appreciate your commitment to promoting practical cooperation between China and Zambia since you assumed presidency," Hu said at the start of the talks.

"I believe your visit will turn a new page in the bilateral friendship and bring the relationship to a new high," Hu said.

Banda recalled "the historic relations that exist between our two countries that go back before our independence." China and Zambia forged diplomatic ties in October 1964.

Banda highlighted "the sacrifices many young Chinese made in order to construct the first railway line connecting Tanzania and Zambia."

The about-1,860-kilometer railway, one of the largest foreign-aid project undertaken by China, was financed and built by China in 1970s. More than 60 Chinese died in constructing the railway.