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Hu speaks highly of China-Tanzania ties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-16 17:24

DAR ES SALAAM -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday delivered a key-note speech here, speaking highly of the relationship between China and Tanzania.

In his speech entitled "Work Together to Write a New Chapter of China-Africa Friendship," Hu said China-Tanzania relationship has become "a model for both China-Africa and South-South cooperation."

He delivered the speech at a welcoming rally held by people from various sectors.

In recent years, under the leadership of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Tanzania has worked hard with "New Zeal, New Vigor, and New Speed" to develop its economy, improve the well-being of its people, maintain political stability and play an important role in African and international affairs, Hu said.

China rejoices at the achievements of Tanzania, a country he said is renowned as the "oasis of peace" in Africa.

As for the friendship between the two countries, Hu quoted an old Chinese saying: "Nothing can separate people with common goals and ideals, not even mountains and seas."

In spite of long distance, he said, leaders and people of the two countries have engaged in friendly exchanges since the 1960s and forged a profound friendship during Africa's struggle for national liberation.

Both sides have attached great importance to the development of relations over the past 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Hu noted, adding China and Tanzania have had close high-level contacts, enhanced political mutual trust and expanded practical cooperation in a wide range of areas.

The Chinese president also said he and Kikwete had an in-depth exchange of views on Sunday and reached broad agreement on how to further bilateral relations, and signed agreements on economic and technological cooperation.

On Sunday, Hu attended the completion ceremony of Tanzania's state stadium and paid tribute to a cemetery for Chinese experts who had worked and died in the country.

Recalling them, Hu said the stadium will become a new landmark of friendship between the two counties, and "the Chinese government and people will always cherish their memory and will never forget their contribution to the friendship with Tanzania".

Tanzania is the fourth leg of Hu's week-long tour, which has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Mali and Senegal. He will later visit Mauritius before flying home on Tuesday.

This is Hu's sixth visit to Africa and his second since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006, where he announced eight measures designed to strengthen cooperation and forge a new type of strategic partnership with Africa.