China and Zambia said on Sunday they had agreed to boost political and economic cooperation and strengthen dialogue and visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao hailed the "all-weather friendship" between the two countries.

Both countries were satisfied with their healthy friendship and the steady growth of cooperation based since the two countries established diplomatic ties 42 years ago, according to a communique signed by Zambian President Levy Patric Mwanawasa and President Hu on Sunday.

The two countries agreed to intensify consultation and dialogue, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, increase people-to-people and cultural interaction and strengthen international cooperation to boost the friendly ties, it said.

Both countries pledged to continue to support each other on matters concerning their sovereignty, territorial integrity, national stability and political and economic development, said the joint communique, noting Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy and its opposition to "Taiwan independence" in any form.

The two sides also agreed that their cooperation will be focused on infrastructure, agriculture, mining and human resources development, the document said.

The document said Zambia recognizes China as a market economy.

The two sides will also encourage the business communities of both countries to enter into cooperation for mutual benefit, it said.

Also on Sunday, President Hu met with Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, Speaker of the National Assembly Of Zambia (NAZ), and Kenneth Kaunda, former Zambian president.

During the meetings, the Chinese president hailed the all-weather friendship between China and Zambia, pledging to remain a good friend, partner and brother to the southern African country.

In his meeting with Mwanamwambwa, Hu said that communication between the legislative bodies of both countries constituted an important part of China-Zambia relations.

China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the NAZ have maintained contact and contributed to the cooperation in economy, agriculture, education, health, culture and other areas.

When Hu met with Kaunda, he quoted a Chinese proverb -- "Those who drink water will never forget the people who dig the well" -- commending Kaunda's contribution to the long-standing friendship.

Kaunda is one of the few surviving African leaders who have met with several generations of Chinese leaders. During his tenure, China assisted Zambia and Tanzania to build Tazara, a railway linking the land-locked Zambia with a port in Tanzania in the 1970s.

On Saturday, President Hu Jintao announced a package of measures to boost fully-fledged cooperation with Zambia.

Zambia is the fourth leg of Hu's eight-nation African tour, which has taken him to Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan. He will also visit Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and the Seychelles.

Source: Xinhua