LUSAKA -- Zambian former vice president Christon Tembo has said that Zambians need to appreciate the assistance China has been rendering to his country, Times of Zambia reported Thursday.

Tembo said in an interview in Lusaka Wednesday that Zambia owes China an appreciation as that country has assisted Zambia with a lot of development.

He said Zambia has for a long time enjoyed a cordial relationship with China, which needs not to be destroyed now.

Zambia has been part of the international community, which has at large supported the People's Republic of China's one-China policy, he said.

"The cordial relationship with China has not started now. It has been longstanding, sound and on principle. It is true we owe China a lot even if it does not mean in monetary terms. We owe that country the gratitude because of what they have done for us," Tembo said.

The roads, Zambia-Tanzania Railway (TAZARA) line and the Zambia Mulungushi Textiles, which the Chinese assisted to put up, are there for the Zambians to see, he said.

It is logical that Zambia supports the one-China policy, which has been recognized by the international community, said the former vice president.