Chinese President Hu Jintao and Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on Friday pledged to make concerted effort to promote the traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the two countries.(Xinhua Photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on Friday pledged to make concerted effort to promote the traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the two countries.

China sees Tanzania as its all-weather cooperative partner and the healthy development of bilateral relations could be treated as a model for China's sincerity and cooperation with Africa and all developing countries, Hu told Kikwete during their talks in this southern China seaside city.

To further the bilateral all-round cooperation, Hu proposed the two countries strengthen political trust, keep high-level contacts and dialogues in various forms, expand mutually beneficial trade cooperation, facilitate exchanges in the areas of education, culture, sports, public health, tourism and media, and encourage contacts among local governments, social organizations, women and youth of the two countries.

The Chinese government will continue to provide aid for Tanzania's economic and social development within its capacity, and encourage its enterprises to cooperate with Tanzanian companies in infrastructure construction, agriculture, resource exploration, telecommunication and personnel training, Hu said.

The two countries should also strengthen cooperation in the United Nations and on other multilateral occasions, and increase contacts on major international issues such as the UN Millennium Development Goals, multilateral trade mechanism and climate change.

The Tanzanian president, who is in China to attend the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia, due to open on Saturday afternoon in Boao, about 300 kilometers from Sanya, called China a good friend and good partner.

Noting China's precious support and assistance for Tanzania over the past years, Kikwete said the Tanzanian people value the friendship with the Chinese people, reiterating that Tanzania firmly uphold the one-China policy.

He told the Chinese president that Tanzania is very glad to host the Olympic Torch relay and will exert the utmost efforts to promote its success.

Tanzania will never allow anyone to disrupt or sabotage the Olympic Torch run in the country, he added.

The Olympic Torch is scheduled to arrive in Dar es Salaam, the largest Tanzanian city and the only African city to host the relay, on April 12. The relay will be held the next day before the Olympic Torch continues its global tour to Muscat of Oman.

Kikwete said the people of Tanzania and all other African countries are firmly against the attempt of some people to disrupt the Beijing Olympic Games, resolutely support the efforts of the Chinese government and people, and believe the Beijing Olympic Games will be a complete success.

Hu thanked Kikwete for this and said the China-Africa new strategic partnership marks a new development stage of China-Africa cooperation. China is ready to work African countries to deepen substantial cooperation, promote the sustained development of China-Africa Cooperation Forum and make new contribution to Africa's peace and development.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2008)