Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said in Lusaka Thursday his government appreciated the assistance rendered by China and would like to further strengthen the cordial relation shared between the two countries.

Speaking when he received the letter of credence from the new Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin, Mwanawasa said China had been playing an "pivotal" role in Zambia's economic development.

"We have enjoyed cooperation in many areas of economic development. China has been involved with us in agriculture, infrastructure, mining and other sectors," Mwanawasa said.

"You are not only mining copper and cobalt but also you are adding value to our copper by setting up a refinery," the president added.

He said China's assistance to Zambia as well as to other African countries was given without strings.

"We appreciate the assistance that China has given us," Mwanawasa said.

The president said Zambia would constantly support the one- China policy as it had been doing in the past four decades and hoped that Taiwan would one day go back to China's mainland as a province which it is.

"It is the intention of Zambia and its people to keep supporting the one-China policy because we know that it means a lot to your country," Mwanawasa told Ambassador Li.

Li commended the fast economic and social development and the improved well-being of Zambian people under the leadership of Mwanawasa.

He expressed his gratitude to the Zambian government on its adherence to the one-China policy and support for China's reunification with Taiwan province.

Li arrived in the Zambian capital Lusaka on April 21 to take over his predecessor Li Baodong.

Source: Xinhua