Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Dar es Salaam on Thursday afternoon for a two-day official visit to the United Republic of Tanzania at the invitation of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

 

Wen is the fourth Chinese premier to visit Tanzania since the two countries forged diplomatic relations back in 1964.

 

Tanzanian President Kikwete was at the airport to meet the Chinese premier.

 

Upon his arrival at the Dar es Salaam Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere International Airport, the Chinese premier said that he would like to take the opportunity of his visit to greet the Tanzanian government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

 

"Bilateral relations enjoy a huge potential to further develop and the promotion of bilateral relations and cooperation will serve the interests of the two countries and peoples," he said.

 

He added that further development of Sino-Tanzanian relations will also contribute to peace and development in the region as well.

 

The Chinese premier is scheduled to meet later in the day with the president and prime minister.

 

Wen's entourage includes Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Commerce Minister Bo Xilai.

 

Tanzania is the sixth leg of Wen's seven-country Africa tour, which already took him to Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola and South Africa. Wen is to visit Uganda before winding up his eight-day trip that started on June 17. 

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2006)