Chinese President Hu Jintao announced in Lusaka Saturday a package of measures to boost full-fledged cooperation with Zambia.

 

Hu announced the measures at a press briefing after his talks with Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. The measures include:

 

-- Canceling debts to China in the form of interest-free government loans that matured by the end of 2005.

 

-- Opening up the Chinese market by increasing items of zero-tariff Zambian exports to China from 190 to 442.

 

-- Establishing an economic and trade zone in Zambia.

 

-- Constructing a stadium in Zambian city of Ndola, which could turn Zambia into a major sports destination in Africa.

 

-- Building an agricultural technical demonstration center, two rural schools, a hospital and an anti-malaria center.

 

-- Offering 117 Chinese government-funded scholarships between 2007 and 2008 and training more professionals for Zambia.

 

-- Sending agricultural experts and youth volunteers to Zambia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2007)