On the morning of September 15, 2023, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema who is on a state visit to China. The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the traditional friendship forged by the two countries' older generations of leaders has stood the test of the changing international landscape, and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway has become a symbol of China-Africa friendship. The people of the two countries have a special friendship toward each other. China has always viewed and developed China-Zambia relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and stands ready to work with Zambia to transform the profound traditional friendship between the two countries into an inexhaustible driving force for win-win cooperation in the new era, and grow China-Zambia relationship to new levels in a steady and sustained manner.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China supports Zambia in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and in exploring a development path suited to its actual conditions. China stands ready to work with Zambia to enhance inter-party interactions and exchanges on governance experience, and to firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. The success of Chinese modernization has shown the diversity of modernization models in the world, and China's high-quality development and modernization drive will continue to bring new opportunities to Zambia and other countries in the world. China is also ready to work with Zambia to take the Belt and Road cooperation as a guide to expand cooperation in fields like infrastructure development, agriculture, mining and clean energy, and to jointly achieve development and revitalization. China encourages the entry of more quality products of Zambia into the Chinese market, and supports Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Zambia. The two sides should also work to ensure the success of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, step up exchanges and cooperation in such fields as education training, medical and health care, culture and tourism, and further increase personnel exchanges, to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Xi Jinping pointed out that at present, the collective rise of developing countries and the steady increase of their international influence have become an irreversible trend of the times. China and Zambia need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, practice true multilateralism, firmly uphold international fairness and justice, strive to increase the voice of developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries. Xi noted that China-Africa cooperation has been a forerunner in South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa. Sincerity, equality, mutual benefit, justice, openness and inclusiveness have been the guiding principles and defining features of China-Africa friendship, a fact that has remained unchanged. China firmly supports African countries in pursuing an independent development path, and becoming an important pole in world political and economic development and the progress of human civilization. China is ready to work with Zambia and other African countries to follow through on the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization and other outcomes of the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, increase synergy of strategies, deepen cooperation in various fields, and support African countries in enhancing their capability for independent development, to achieve economic recovery and sustainable development, and jointly build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Hakainde Hichilema said that Zambia cherishes the friendship forged by the older generations of leaders of the two countries. China's development has spurred the progress of the Global South countries, increased their representation and say in international affairs, and made the international order more just and equitable. Zambia thanks China for supporting the African Union’s accession to the Group of 20, and playing a positive role in resolving the debt issues facing Zambia. Zambia is committed to the one-China principle, highly appreciates the guiding philosophy and principles of Chinese modernization, hopes to learn from China's development experience, and stands ready to work with China to take the establishment of a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen Belt and Road cooperation and cooperation in fields like mining, agriculture, economy, trade, science and technology, infrastructure development, and medical and health care, and draw on each other’s comparative strengths for common development. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is an important platform for promoting the development of African countries. Zambia thanks China for hosting the Forum’s meetings in 2024, and stands ready to work with China to elevate Africa-China cooperation to a new level, and jointly respond to energy and food security and other global challenges, to inject more stability into the world.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as Belt and Road cooperation, green development, digital economy, investment cooperation, and inspection and quarantine.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Zambia on Establishing the Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Hakainde Hichilema at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

Upon Hakainde Hichilema's arrival, honor guard lined up in salutation. As the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Zambia, and a 21-gun salute was fired at Tian'anmen Square. Hakainde Hichilema reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past in the company of Xi Jinping.

Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan and Hakainde Hichilema's wife Mutinta Hichilema also attended the welcome ceremony. Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome banquet for Hakainde Hichilema and Mutinta Hichilema at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People at noon.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.