Amid lively, exhilarating Zambian singing and dancing presented by the country's artists clad in vibrant traditional attire, the 2024 Zambia-China Culture and Tourism Year kicked off on Saturday at the Swiss?tel Beijing Hong Kong Macau Center.

Sun Yeli, China's minister of culture and tourism; Rodney Sikumba, Zambia's minister of tourism; and Iven Zyuulu, Zambia's ambassador to China, addressed the opening ceremony.

Officials hoped the program would boost bilateral relations through people-to-people connectivity and spur cultural and artistic cooperation between China and Zambia.

The event included a promotional session for Zambian tourism, attended by nearly 100 industry professionals from China and Zambia.

Presentations provided insights into the southern African country's magnificent natural and cultural attractions including the world’s largest waterfall Victoria Falls, 20 national parks inhabited by more than 1,800 animal species, and 73 tribes co-existing in peace and harmony, boasting colorful cultures and traditions.