On September 3, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of Tanzania, which holds the African Union’s rotating presidency, and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping, in the Zambian capital of Lusaka. Yang Jiechi is here to attend the late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa's funeral, as a special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Yang Jiechi expressed the Chinese government's gratitude for African leaders' support for the Beijing Olympic Games. He also said China appreciates their firm adherence to the one-China policy on the Taiwan and Tibet questions.

Hailing the sound, stable development of China-Africa relations in all areas, Yang said China attaches great importance to its traditional friendship with African countries and the African Union. China is willing to continue enhancing mutual political trust, trade cooperation, cultural exchanges and coordination in international affairs with African countries. China also supports African countries’ efforts to safeguard regional peace, promote solidarity, develop economy and improve people’s livelihood so as to continuously push forward China-Africa relations.

Kikwete and Jean Ping expressed sincere congratulation on China’s successful hosting of the Beijing Olympics. They said that African governments and people appreciate China’s efforts to earnestly advance Africa-China pragmatic cooperation, as well as China's disinterested assistance and firm support to solve their regional issues independently over the years. They said that African countries hope to deepen the friendly cooperative relations with China in all fields to seek peace and development.