Xi Jinping says China to strengthen, broaden bilateral ties with Zambia

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Zambian counterpart on a telephone call on Tuesday that China is willing to strengthen and broaden bilateral ties with

Zambia

, according to a Chinese state television report.

Over the past year,

China-Zambia relations

have maintained positive momentum, Xi said, adding that China will promote the entry of more Zambian products into the Chinese market, especially high-quality agricultural goods.

China will also strengthen counter-epidemic control cooperation with Zambia, he told President

Hakainde Hichilema

.

In 2020, Zambia became the first nation to default in the COVID-19 era. As of end-2021, Zambia's external debt reached $17.27 billion, of which China held $5.78 billion.

The Chinese media report did not mention Zambia's external debts.