Tanzanian FM: China's Co-operation With Africa Genuine

Tanzanian Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete on Friday described China's cooperation with African countries as genuine.

He made the remarks at a reception hosted by the Chinese embassy here to mark the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China which falls on October 1.

Kikwete expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between Tanzania and China in various sectors such as health, education, communications, agriculture, water and industries.

"China being a developing country has always identified herself with Africa and other third world countries as they are all faced with common task of development and share mutual interests in international affairs," the minister said.

"The recent decision by the government of China to cancel or reduce the debt owned by Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and Least Developed Countries in Africa is indeed a remarkable initiative," he said, noting that Tanzania is among the first few to benefit from such an initiative.

Kikwete reaffirmed Tanzania's support for China's entry into the World Trade Organization, saying that China's membership will strengthen the position of the developing countries in this organization.

He also stressed that Tanzania also supports the one China policy, adding that "the relevance and significance of this policy has been proved by the manner in which Hong Kong and Macao rejoined the motherland and continue to prosper."

Meanwhile, Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa Friday sent a congratulatory message to his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin.

Mkapa said in the message that Tanzanians cherish "the historic, friendly and brotherly relations" and shall continue to consolidate and further promote the bilateral cooperation in various fields for mutual benefits of the two peoples.

Tanzania and China started their friendly relations in early 1960s when Tanzanian founder President Julius Nyerere visited several times the then Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.

The Chinese government constructed with a grand loan the well- known 1,860-kilometer-long Tanzania-Zambia Railway in the first cooperative project which was followed by dozens of others in various sectors.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/29/2001)