National Chairman of Zambia's ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Boniface Kawimbe, expressed in Lusaka on June 27 the government's willingness to strengthen economic cooperation with China.

Kawimbe said this while meeting with the visiting delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) at MMD's headquarters in Lusaka.

"China should take full advantage of the new economic environment of Zambia for increased cooperation," said Kawimbe, citing the Mulungushi textile joint venture as a good example of China-Zambia partnership.

Delegation leader Tan Jialin commended the achievement of Zambia in its economy under the leadership of President Levy Mwanawasa.

He said China and Zambia have both enjoyed the benefit brought by growing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, and believed that more cooperative opportunities would swarm into the country from China.

MMD National Secretary Vernon Mwaanga said in the same function that Zambia always upholds the one-China policy, adding that the cordial relationship between CPC and Zambia could go back to the days before the independence of Zambia.

"We regard CPC as a very dependable ally of Zambia both in terms of development and in terms of international relations," said Mwaanga.

"We are sure that under the leadership of CPC, China has moved into a new gear and is now considered as one of the most important countries in the field of development," Mwaanga said.

Source: Xinhua