2024 China-Tanzania Culture and Tourism Year opens in Beijing

China

2024 China-Tanzania Culture and Tourism Year opens in Beijing

2024-05-19 19:15 Last Updated At：21:27

China and Tanzania have launched the "Culture and Tourism Year" project in Beijing, which is expected to hold a great variety of dazzling performances and promotional events to deepen ties and boost exchanges between the two countries.

Tanzanians in Beijing delivered traditional dance and drum performances, while Chinese performers also staged fascinating shows, as China welcomed both the Foreign Minister and Tourism Minister of Tanzania to the Chinese capital this week.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania, and the two countries are hosting a series of bilateral cultural events.

For the vibrant Tanzanian community in Beijing, connections extend beyond trade.

"My connection in China is that, first of all, I married a Chinese, I mean, I have a Chinese family. And now, another connection is the good relationship between my country Tanzania and China," said Joseline Yahaya Rajabu, assistant manager of Mozeti Tours and Safaris, a Tanzanian tourism service provider.

The bustling event took stock of the decades-long bond, and also presented the chance to grow the China-Tanzania relationship in the future.

"For us it's a huge opportunity to showcase the tourist attractions and tourism investment opportunities available for the two countries. For the Chinese investors, for the Chinese travelers, we want to reassure them that Tanzania is the ultimate destination when it comes to unforgettable experiences," said Ephraim Balozi Mafaru, director general of Tanzanian Tourist Board.

Beyond tourism, China and Tanzania have pledged to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and health care as part of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Chinese performer Wan Linmei said the power of music and songs are instrumental to bring the two countries closer. "I know something about Tanzanian music, and I think what makes the Tanzanian people distinctive is that their sense of rhythm is innate, which I think is given by God. This time by attending the opening ceremony, I sincerely feel that through the exchange of music and culture, we can quickly deepen our friendship," she said.

Eurozone inflation edges up to 2.9 pct in July as energy prices rise

Annual inflation in the eurozone is expected to edge up to 2.9 percent in July from 2.8 percent in June, according to a flash estimate released by Eurostat on Friday.

The increase was mainly driven by renewed energy price pressure. Energy prices are expected to rise 10.0 percent year-on-year in July, up from 8.5 percent in June, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union (EU). Services inflation is also expected to rise to 3.3 percent from 3.2 percent a month earlier.

Food, alcohol and tobacco prices are estimated to rise 1.2 percent year-on-year, down from 1.5 percent in June, while non-energy industrial goods are expected to post an annual inflation rate of 0.9 percent, up from 0.7 percent. Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, is estimated at 2.5 percent in July, up from 2.4 percent in June.

According to Eurostat data, inflation rose in three of the eurozone's largest economies in July. Germany's rate increased to 2.8 percent from 2.4 percent in June, France's to 2.4 percent from 2.0 percent, and Spain's to 3.8 percent from 3.6 percent. Italy's rate, meanwhile, edged down to 2.9 percent from 3.0 percent.

Among eurozone members with available data, Lithuania is estimated to have posted the highest annual inflation rate in July at 5.6 percent, while Estonia is estimated to have posted the lowest at 2.0 percent.

The data came after the European Central Bank (ECB) decided last week to keep its three key interest rates unchanged. The ECB said that the outlook for energy prices remained highly volatile and the full inflationary impact of the energy shock had yet to play out.