On November 24, 2011, Vice President Xi Jinping met with Kenneth David Kaunda, former Zambian president, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi hailed Kaunda as a founder of China-Zambia, China-Africa friendship and appreciated his remarkable contributions to China-Zambia, China-Africa relations. Kaunda is visiting China as a special envoy of Zambian's new President Michael Chilufya Sata, which indicates the aspiration of President Sata and the new Zambian government to further China-Zambia relations.

Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 47 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly. Both sides have shown mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's major interests, helped and complemented each other in their respective national construction and coordinated closely in international affairs. In recent years, bilateral pragmatic friendly cooperation has achieved all-round development with fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples.

"The China-Zambia friendship, established by leaders of the older generation, is all-weather in nature and has an important status and wide-ranging influence in the China-Africa relations. The Zambia-Tanzania railway is a historical milestone for our friendship," Xi said. China cherishes the traditional friendship with Zambia and has always attached great importance to developing relations with Zambia. China is willing to work together with the new Zambian government to deepen bilateral traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation and promote the wellbeing of both peoples.

Kaunda said that the friendship between Zambia and China has endured the test of time. Recalling the history, Kaunda said he appreciated China's past support for Zambia in its drive for national independence and reminded Xi about the efforts of African countries including Zambia to help China regain its seat in the UN in 1971. "In recent years, the assistance from China and fruitful friendly cooperation have fueled the development of Zambia's economy and society," Kaunda said. "President Sata and the new Zambian government are ready to further promote traditional friendship and cooperation with China," said Kaunda.