Li Jie, China's Ambassador to Zambia. (Photo: Provided to People's Daily)

Last week, Zambia celebrated the 55th anniversary of its independence. President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, appealed to Zambian citizens to appreciate the sacrifice made by freedom fighters during the struggle for independence.

This takes me back 55 years. Even before Zambia's independence, China, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, had begun to firmly support the national liberation of southern Africa. On October 29, 1964, five days after Zambia's independence, China and Zambia officially established diplomatic relations, which marked the beginning of China-Zambia friendship.

With similar pasts and a common mission, China and Africa have extended sympathy to and helped each other throughout those years. Our bilateral relations have withstood the test of time and vicissitudes of international situations and have been constantly revitalized. We have firmly supported each other in exploring development paths suited to our respective national conditions and supported each other on issues concerning our core interests and major concerns.

China actively supported the national liberation movement of southern Africa and was one of the first countries to recognize Zambia's independence. In the 1970s, the construction of the TAZARA railway, with Chinese assistance, became a monument of friendship between China and Africa, China and Zambia. More than 40 years later, the TAZARA is still one of the largest aid projects that China has undertaken overseas.

China-Zambia relations have entered a fast track in recent years. High-level exchanges between the two countries have been on the rise. Zambian President Lungu paid visits to China twice and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping three times. Both leaders have charted the direction for the development of China-Zambia relations. Not long ago, Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China exchanged letters of congratulations with Joseph Malanji, Zambia’s Foreign Minister, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China Zambia diplomatic relations. Both sides regard the traditional friendship between China and Zambia as a precious treasure and spoke highly of the achievements of bilateral relations in recent years. They expect the bilateral relations to forge ahead and make new and greater progress in political, economic, trade and cultural fields so as to continue to benefit the two peoples.

Zambia is one of the important partners of Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa and an active participant and beneficiary in FOCAC (Forum on China Africa Cooperation). The two countries have achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields, from which the peoples of the two countries have benefited widely.

First, China is a major investor in Zambia. At present, there are more than 600 Chinese enterprises in Zambia, with a total investment of more than $3.8 billion, creating 50,000 jobs focused on mining, agriculture, construction and other fields. The Zambia-China economic and trade cooperation zone is China's first such zone in Africa. Enterprises settled in the zone have contributed $552 million in taxes and fees and have created about 9,000 jobs. Zambian high-quality agricultural products are popular with Chinese people.

Secondly, China is Zambia's second largest trading partner. In 2018, bilateral trade reached $5 billion, up 33.91 percent year-on-year, with Zambia's exports to China exceeding $4.1 billion. China will continue to take a number of measures to encourage more high-quality Zambian products to enter the Chinese market.

In 2014, China unilaterally provided Zambia with duty-free treatment for 97 percent of its export items to China. This year, China has invited Zambia to attend the second China International Import Expo as the sole guest of honor from Africa.

Thirdly, China is the largest infrastructure contractor in Zambia. Chinese enterprises and financial institutions have implemented a number of projects here, laying a solid foundation for industrialization and agricultural modernization of Zambia. At present, a series of projects such as Lusaka International Airport and the Kafue Gorge lower hydropower station are making steady progress.

Besides, China and Zambia continue to lead China-Africa cooperation in the areas of medical, health, education and cultural exchanges. China has actively supported medical and health services in Zambia. For 41 consecutive years since 1978, China has sent 545 medical team members to Zambia to treat 3 million local patients and carry out more than 20,000 surgeries. Up to now, China has received 1,014 Zambian scholarship students and currently, more than 4,300 Zambian students are studying in Chinese institutions for higher education. Since its establishment in 2010, the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia has taught Chinese to 50,000 local students.

The year of 2019 is the "China-Zambia Cultural Year" agreed upon by the heads of state of the two countries. In April this year, the Zambia China Friendship Association was officially launched, with Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda serving as honorary president and executive president respectively, providing an important platform for the two peoples to enhance exchanges and deepen understanding.

In the same month, Zambian Minister of Tourism and Art visited China and attended the opening ceremony of "China-Zambia Cultural year." The two countries have also jointly held "AFROriental Art Expo," "the Chinese Gourmet-Wuxi Fine Food Workshop," and visits and performances by Jilin and Jiangxi art troupes to present cultural feasts brought the two peoples closer.

Looking back at the past 55 years, China and Zambia have jointly embarked on a distinctive path of win-win cooperation. China is satisfied with the development of bilateral relations. In China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The Chinese Communist Party is leading the people in our endeavor to realize the "two centenary goals" and the "Chinese dream" of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Under the motto of "one Zambia, one Nation," Zambia is stepping up efforts to implement the seventh national development plan and make unremitting efforts to realize "vision 2030" and become a prosperous middle-income country.

China-Zambia relations are now at a new starting point embracing new opportunities for development. China will remain a sincere friend and reliable partner of Zambia. We will continue to uphold the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests.

We will work with Zambia to speed up the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing summit and jointly enhance Belt and Road cooperation in pursuit of a win-win cooperation for common development and an even stronger China-Zambia community with a shared future for a new era.

As the 15th Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, I am very honored and will spare no effort to the development of China-Zambia traditional friendship.

The author is H.E. Li Jie, China's Ambassador to Zambia.