Kenneth Kaunda, the founding president of Zambia, died of illness at the age of 97

The founding president of Zambia, Kaunda, dies of illness

　　Xinhua News Agency, Lusaka, June 17 (Reporter Zhao Yupeng) The Zambian government said on the 17th that the founding president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, died of illness in the capital Lusaka that day at the age of 97.

　　Zambian Cabinet Secretary Simon Mitty said that Kaunda died of illness at a military hospital in Lusaka at 14:30 local time on the 17th.

Previously, Kaunda was not fit to be hospitalized for treatment on the 14th.

　　Mitty said that Kaunda's funeral arrangements are in progress, and all mourning activities will strictly abide by the new crown epidemic prevention regulations.

　　Zambian President Edgar Lungu expressed condolences on the death of Kaunda on the same day and announced that Zambia has entered a 21-day national mourning period during which all entertainment activities were suspended and the flag was lowered at half-mast.

　　Kaunda was born in April 1924. He is known as the "Father of the Nation" of Zambia and one of the leaders of the African National Liberation Movement.

He led the people of Zambia to resist British colonial rule and won the country's independence in 1964. He served as President of Zambia from October 1964 to November 1991.

　　Kaunda has long been committed to the unity of Africa and the long-term development of Zambia-China relations.

On October 29, 1964, Zambia became the first country in southern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

Kaunda has visited China many times and described Zambia-China and Africa-China relations as "all-weather friends".