Senior Chinese official pledges closer ties with Zambia

BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) vowed in Beijing on Wednesday to further relations with Zambia and enhance exchanges with its ruling Patriotic Front.

Liu Qi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Zambian Vice President Guy Scott, also vice president of the Patriotic Front, Zambia's ruling party.

Liu, also secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC, hailed the progress of China-Zambia relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 47 years ago.

China always attaches great importance to its relations with Zambia, he said, vowing joint efforts with the country's new government to boost sustained and healthy development of bilateral ties.

The CPC hopes to further enhance high-level contacts and exchange of experience with the Patriotic Front, he added.

In response, Scott said Zambia's new government highly values relations with China and expects closer cooperation with the country.

Zambia's new government formed in September this year after President Michael Chilufya Sata took office.