Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao on Wednesday said China is seeking for continuous, all- weather friendship with Zambia and will do whatever it can to help the southern African nation in many areas.

Speaking at a ceremony where one of China's fastest developing bus manufacturers, Higer Bus Company Limited, donated a bus to the Olympic Youth Development Center (OYDC) in the capital city Lusaka, Zhou said Chinese investors are interested in cooperation with local partners in diversified sectors, not only the mining industry but many other areas, including sports and culture.

The OYDC is an ultra-modern sports center which was commissioned last year to help in the development of various sports disciplines. The center has however been facing the challenge of ferrying young people from their various residential areas due to lack of transport. The center usually has between 500 to 700 young people practicing in various sporting disciplines in a day.

The Chinese envoy also underscored the importance of investing in young people, adding that a nation that invests in its youths has a "bright future."

While commending the Chinese firm for donating the bus, the envoy urged Chinese investors in Zambia to ensure that they get involved in a lot of social work.

"Government is creating a conducive environment for investment but at the same time I am appealing to Chinese investors to invest in social work in order to help the local communities. We are living in an inter-dependent world and so we need to help each other," he said.

The donation of the bus is an indication of the "growing togetherness" between the two countries, he said, adding that there is need for the two countries to work together and move forward together.

"I want to thank Higer Bus Company for the donation and it sets a good example for the Chinese community here to do more," he told the gathering.

Zambian government officials attended the ceremony, praising the all-weather friendship between Zambia and China and China's contribution to the country's economic development.