On October 29, 2024, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Xi Jinping noted that over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Zambia relations have withstood the test of changes in the international landscape, and the two sides have consistently upheld sincerity and friendship and joined hands for shared progress. In recent years, the two countries have seen frequent high-level exchanges, continuously deepened political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, and have been supporting each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns, greatly benefiting the two countries and two peoples. Xi Jinping recalled that President Hakainde Hichilema came to China and attended in September this year the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, during which they provided important strategic guidance for the future development of bilateral relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Zambia relations, and expressed his readiness to work with President Hakainde Hichilema to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate mutual support, strengthen all-round cooperation, jointly advance their respective modernization causes on the new journey in the new era, continue to solidify the China-Zambia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and build an even closer China-Zambia community with a shared future.
Hakainde Hichilema said that the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is an important milestone in Zambia-China relations. The bilateral partnership, based on mutual respect, win-win cooperation and common prosperity, has made significant contributions to their respective development. Noting that cooperation projects such as the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station have achieved remarkable results, he said Zambia will continue to support major initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and work with China to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Hakainde Hichilema expressed his willingness to work with President Xi Jinping to jointly create a better future and push for greater development of Zambia-China all-weather friendship and their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
