On February 3, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the Zambian capital of Lusaka on a state visit to the country to continue his eight-nation Africa tour, which is described as a journey of friendship and cooperation.

At 13:00, local time, Hu's special plane arrived at the Lusaka International Airport. Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing were warmly welcomed by Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa and other officials at the airport. Mwanawasa held a grand ceremony at the airport to welcome Hu's state visit to Zambia.

In a written speech delivered at the airport, Hu pointed out that Zambia is an important country in the southern part of Africa. Under the leadership of President Mwanawasa, the Zambian people have scored remarkable achievements in economic rejuvenation and national development in recent years and the country has played a positive role in African and international affairs, said Hu.

Hu said Zambia is the first country in the southern part of Africa to establish diplomatic ties with the New China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 42 years ago, the two peoples have always shown mutual sympathy, support and assistance to each other and conducted broad cooperation in economic and social areas. The famous Tanzania-Zambia Railway is a monument and link for China-Zambia friendship, said Hu. The friendly cooperation between the two countries has witnessed in-depth development in recent years with expanded cooperation in all areas, which shows that the development of bilateral ties is facing a favorable opportunity, he added.

Hu emphasized his current visit is aimed to carry forward the traditional friendship, promote pragmatic cooperation and blueprint the future of bilateral ties through joint efforts with the Zambian leaders. Hu said he hoped to exchange in-depth views with President Mwanawasa and other Zambian leaders on bilateral ties and other major issues of common concern. Hu expressed belief that this visit will surely help raise bilateral ties to a new level.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other accompanying officials arrived by the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Baodong and other staff of the embassy also greeted the Chinese delegation at the airport.

Hu arrived in Lusaka by special plane from the Sudanese capital of Khartoum after concluding his visit to Sudan. President Al-Bashir hosted a grand welcoming ceremony at the airport for the Chinese president upon his departure.

Zambia is the fourth leg of Hu's eight-nation tour of Africa. He has visited Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan, and will visit Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Seychelles.