LUSAKA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and China's Luoyang city have signed agreements that will see medical institutions from the Chinese city collaborating with the China-aided Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.

The agreements were signed on Wednesday by Zambia's minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya and Deputy Mayor of Luoyang city in Henan Province He Min.

The agreements involve the construction of joint centers of cardiovascular, dermatology, an ears, nose and throat center as well as promotion of traditional Chinese medicine at the Zambian hospital.

The Chinese official said the agreements were based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit for all parties.

He said all parties plan to carry out exchanges and cooperation in specialized subject development, disease prevention and control, personnel training, academic exchanges and other aspects.

On his part, the Zambian minister said the signing of the agreements could not have come at a better time than now when the government has embarked on a program of ensuring universal health coverage for all.

He said the agreement will help the government pursue with vigor the goals it has set up in improving health care services in the country.

He said the partnership with China in the health sector has been fruitful, adding that the agreements will escalate the bilateral relations that have existed between the two countries.