Tanzanian Ambassador to China Omar R. Mapuri [Maverick Chen / China.org.cn]

China and Tanzania have maintained a friendly bilateral relationship. Their bonds have become even closer with the development of both sides during the past five decades. Tanzanian Ambassador to China Omar R. Mapuri shares his opinions about current China-Tanzania relations with Beijing Review reporter Ding Ying.

Beijing Review: Could you please summarize the current China-Tanzania relationship?

Relations between China and Tanzania are very friendly and cordial, characterized by mutual respect, trust, support and win-win. The friendship that started with the founders of our nations has reached out to the people themselves and continues to thrive.

In the past, China used to be Tanzania's major aid and assistance contributor. Now our cooperation mainly focuses on the economic field.

Beijing Review: What's your opinion of this change?

It is true that the focus of the China-Tanzania bilateral cooperation is increasingly shifting towards economics with mutual benefit. However, that shift notwithstanding, China continues to be a major aid contributor to Tanzania. The gradual shift is, in my opinion, beneficial to Tanzania in the long run in that it is preparing Tanzania for self-reliance and less dependence on aid, without creating an impression of abandonment.

Beijing Review: What is the main focus of current bilateral economic cooperation? In what field can the two sides improve their economic cooperation?

Bilateral economic cooperation is showing itself up in the form of provision of preferential loans to food production, infrastructure and technology projects in Tanzania, and market accessibility and tourism. Tanzania is a beneficiary of China's tariff free policy for a number of her exports to China and is also an approved tourist destination for Chinese people.

Tanzania on her part has extended preferential policies to Chinese investors. Overall, the cooperation is on the right track and Chinese and Tanzanian people should be encouraged to wake up to the facilities availed to them. We hope to continue our cooperation in current way.

Beijing Review: How many Chinese enterprises are in Tanzania now? What do you think of their functions in your country?

There are more than 224 registered Chinese enterprises in Tanzania, which have created jobs for about 60,000 Tanzanians. I consider them positive contributors to Tanzania's economic growth and to the deepening of China-Tanzania friendship.