On August 20, 2008, President Hu Jintao of China sent a message of condolences to Zambian acting President Rupiah Banda over the death of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa.

In the message, Hu, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, expressed profound condolences over the death of President Levy Mwanawasa and extended sincere sympathy to the Zambian government and people as well as the late president's family.

Mwanawasa was an outstanding leader and statesman of Zambia and a close friend of the Chinese, Hu said, noting that he had visited China several times. While adhering to China-Zambia friendship and the one-China policy, Mwanawasa had been dedicated to promoting communication and cooperation between the two countries, Hu added. Mwanawasa, deeply loved by Zambians, had also won the respect of the Chinese people by making significant contributions to the development of Sino-Zambian relations and deepening Sino-African friendship, the Chinese president noted. The Chinese feel deeply sorry for the loss of a sincere friend like Mwanawasa, Hu said. China attaches great importance to Sino-Zambian relations, and would continue working with it to promote bilateral traditional friendship and friendly and cooperative relations, he pledged.