The water supply project in Zambia 's three cities was kicked off Friday when Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Baodong handed over the design of the project to Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa.

President Mwanawasa thanked the Chinese government for assisting the country in attaining its objective to reduce poverty and improve the health for the people through improved water supply.

"The Zambian government is very grateful for this support from the Chinese government," Mwanawasa said.

He said the deal was clinched during his visit to China at the end of 2003 when he expressed hope that China could assist Zambia in upgrading the water supply systems in Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe.

The two governments signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on aiding the project at the end of 2005, which outlined the scope and extent of the entire project.

Li Baodong said the handover of the design of the project is an official commitment made by the Chinese government and marks official launching of the project.

"In technical terms, the design is a plan and also a timetable for the project construction," Li said.

He said the project would be completed at a cost of about 10 million U.S. dollars which the Chinese government would foot the bill.

Meanwhile, Li announced that the Chinese government was going to donate anti-malaria medicines valued at 1.5 million yuan (about 187,500 dollars) to the Zambian people ahead of this year's rainy season.

Source: Xinhua