In early autumn in Beijing, the sky is clear and clear.The two heads of state announced the upgrade of China Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

From traditional friendly "all-weather friends" to comprehensive strategic partnerships, the relationship between the two countries has opened a new chapter. Under the guidance and planning of the two heads of state, China Zambia cooperation has continuously yielded fruitful results, promoting the development of bilateral relations towards a higher level and broader areas.

The "Road of Friendship" that the elderly in Zambia cherish throughout their lives

President Xichilema expressed that Zambia values the friendship between Zambia and China, which was personally created by the older generation of leaders from both countries.

As early as the struggle for national independence in Zambia, the Chinese people firmly supported the just struggle of the Zambian people. Zambia was the first country in southern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Since the 1960s, several friendly African countries, including Zambia, have repeatedly submitted proposals to restore the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations. On October 25, 1971, the 26th United Nations General Assembly voted to pass Resolution 2758, which decided to restore the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. On that day, the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations and representatives of brotherly African countries cheered and expressed heartfelt joy for China on the scene.

More than half a century ago, at the request of Zambia and Tanzania, more than 50000 Chinese engineering and technical personnel, together with African builders, built the Tanzania Zambia Railway, known as the "Road of Freedom" and "Road of Friendship", with sweat, blood, and even life under extremely difficult conditions.

Children and children on the banks of Lake Rushwasi in Zambia welcome trains from the Tanzania Zambia Railway to their hometowns.

"Building this great railway with Chinese friends is a lifelong pride for me." 74 year old Edward Bouglia participated in the construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railway. The old man passionately told the reporter that he always remembers the friendship and respect from China.

A Tanzania Zambia Railway Memorial Park is located in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. In the park, the monument stands tall and towering, with the inscription "The Chinese martyrs who aid and praise will endure forever.". The marble tombstone is engraved with the names of Chinese martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Tanzanian railway cause. At the opening ceremony of the memorial park in August 2022, President Hichilema said, "We must remember the achievements of these martyrs and pass on and carry forward the spirit of the Tanzania Zambia Railway."

During the talks, President Hitchlema highly appreciated the guiding principles and principles of Chinese path to modernization and hoped to learn from China's development experience.

Currently, the collective rise of developing countries and their increasing international influence have become an irreversible trend of the times. China Africa cooperation has become a leader in South South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa.

China is willing to work with African countries, including Zambia, to implement the outcomes of the China Africa Leaders' Dialogue, such as the "Support for African Industrialization Initiative", strengthen strategic coordination, deepen cooperation in various fields, support African countries in continuously improving their independent development capabilities, achieve economic recovery and sustainable development, and work together to build a community with a shared future for China and Africa in the new era.

On August 23rd, a cruise on the Zambezi River was filmed in Zambia.

The "the Belt and Road" project that injects live water into development

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of jointly building the "the Belt and Road", green development, digital economy, investment cooperation, inspection and quarantine.

In March this year, about 90 kilometers south of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, all units of the Kaifu Gorge Hydropower Station under the flagship project of the "the Belt and Road" jointly built by China and Zambia were officially put into operation. The surging water of the Kafue River gushes down, continuously converting into electricity, greatly alleviating Zambia's power shortage problem and injecting strong momentum into local agriculture, industry, mining development, and post epidemic economic recovery. President Xichilema described this cooperation as "the latest example of friendship between Zambia and China.".

On March 23rd, an aerial photo of the Xiakaifuxia Hydropower Station dam was taken.

"The the Belt and Road project has brought the life of local people into a new era." Chris Chilvallo obtained career development opportunities through this project. He told reporters that thousands of locals like him have obtained job positions and professional skills training through this. Chinese companies have also established skill training schools in the local area to help nearby villagers dig wells for water, build roads and bridges.

Practical cooperation between China and Zambia always focuses on common development and people's well-being. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Zambia reached 6.73 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 30.2%, reaching a historic high. The new terminals of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and the new Simon Mwansa Kapwepuwe International Airport constructed by Chinese enterprises are helping to build new air transportation hubs. The Manggu Karabo Highway constructed by Chinese enterprises has improved the traffic situation in the Zang mining area. The Zambian corn flour processing plant project assisted by China will improve local food supply and stabilize food prices

On August 9, 2021, the exterior of the new terminal at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport was captured in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

Sini Mwamba, Executive Chairman of the Zambia Policy Observation and Research Center, believes that Zambia has benefited greatly from the airports, highways, and energy projects supported by China. China has also helped people overcome poverty through agricultural assistance, technology transfer, and improving food safety. Zan China cooperation is a model of African China cooperation, and China's investment and assistance in multiple fields in Africa are key to unleashing the vitality of the African economy.

Deepening cultural exchanges

Behind the "all-weather friendship" between China and Zambia is a trickle of popular sentiment and a deeply rooted foundation of public opinion.

"Wishing everyone a happy New Year and good luck in the Year of the Rabbit!" On New Year's Eve this year, the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center located in the suburbs of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, rang the New Year bell. The masters and disciples of the cultural center sent sincere holiday wishes to Chinese friends in standard Mandarin.

Kung Fu performances, Chinese songs, setting off firecrackers, ringing bells to pray for blessings... The lively "Chinese New Year" activities reflect an increasingly deepening picture of cultural exchange.

Since the opening of the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in Zambia for two years, Ronald Mwale has actively participated in martial arts and Chinese language courses. Mvalle said, "Chinese culture is vast and profound, which has broadened my horizons and helped me open up more possibilities for career development." This 23-year-old young man aspires to become a Chinese translator or martial arts coach.

On January 21st, students practiced Chinese Kung Fu at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center located in the suburbs of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

In recent years, the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia has established teaching points in ten provinces across Zambia, with a total of over 10000 students learning Chinese. China has become one of the preferred countries for young people to study abroad.

Fred Kibesaconda, a junior majoring in Civil Engineering at Mulungushi University, named himself "Ajie". This year, he won the championship of the Zambia division of the 22nd "Chinese Bridge" World University Chinese Competition and represented Zambia in the final of the "Chinese Bridge" held in Guangxi, China. During his time in China, Ajie met Chinese language learners from all over the world, gained knowledge and friendship, and strengthened his determination to further his studies in China in the future.

On August 21st, tourists watched the Victoria Falls scenery in Zambia.

Back then, Zhongzan was a comrade in arms who fought together for national liberation and political independence. Nowadays, China and Zambia are firm partners on the development path. Taking bilateral relations to a new level, China and Zambia will continue to work together to promote the construction of a new era of China Africa community with a shared future, jointly address global challenges, and inject more stability into the world.

Chief Photographer: Huang Jingwen, Pang Xinglei, Wang Jingde, Zhao Yupeng, Peng Lijun, Wang Guansen

Produced by the International Department of Xinhua News Agency