Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, in a meeting Tuesday with Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, said that traditional Sino-Tanzanian friendship enjoys a solid foundation, and that the two countries are trust-worthy and true friends.
Extending a welcome to President Mkapa, who is in Beijing for the three-day China-Africa Cooperation Forum - Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000, Li recalled his visit to Tanzania in 1997, where he received a warm welcome and reception.
He said that leaders of the two countries have had frequent exchanges of visits since their establishment of diplomatic relations 36 years ago, adding that Sino-Tanzanian cooperation has also been progressing and that the two countries have also supported each other in the international arena.
Li added the Chinese NPC has long-standing friendship and cooperation with Tanzania's National Assembly, thus playing a positive role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries as well as the development of bilateral relations.
The top Chinese legislature is willing to expand exchanges with Tanzania's National Assembly, so as to contribute more to cementing bilateral relations, Li said.
Li also highly praised efforts made by President Mkapa to safeguard national unity and stability, carry out economic reform and improve the people's standards of living.
Mkapa said that Tanzania pays close attention to the conference, and hopes that such an event will help promote existing friendly relations between China and African countries, and define a framework for Sino-African cooperation of mutual benefit in the 21 st century.
He expressed the hope that the two countries would increase cooperation between governments and enterprises to keep the momentum of bilateral relations development.
(Xinhua 10/10/2000)
