China-Tanzania relations deliver fruitful results, show promising future: minister

Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs January Yusuf Makamba has shared the fruitful results of his trip to China, hailing the strength of bilateral ties over the past 60 years and expressing high hopes for the upcoming China-Africa cooperation forum.

Makamba on Monday wrapped up a five-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) the previous day, the Tanzanian official highlighted three key takeaways from what he described as a "very good meeting" with Wang during his visit.

"One is bilateral relations between our two countries. We positively assessed the past 60 years of our relations. We also talked about the upcoming FOCAC meeting, and the preparations, and the focus and issues that will be undertaken. We also touched on global affairs and regional affairs as well," he said.

The minister also traveled to south China's tech hub of Shenzhen City, where he said he experienced the high-quality implementation of China's opening-up policy and learned advanced concepts and methods from top Chinese tech companies that could be applied back in his own country.

"Shenzhen holds massive significance even in China's opening-up policy. It's the place where the Chinese government experimented opening-up -- manufacturing, industrialization, modernization -- and we in Africa want to do the same. So it's important to go and see and learn. We met the municipal government and we went to Huawei. So it was a busy, busy, busy trip," he said.

Makamba also outlined his expectations for the upcoming 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), set to be held in Beijing later this year, and believes the gathering will help build effective cooperation among all African attendees and between China and African countries.

Among the many topics and consultations likely to be on the table at the forum, Makamba expects particular emphasis will be placed on the fields of governance, cooperation through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), achieving agricultural modernization, and on ensuring peace and security.

"We consult amongst us to establish our priorities and our focus areas. Then we come and engage with the Chinese partners. But what we've seen so far, what we've heard so far in initial preparations as focus areas for this FOCAC [is] very good, to build a high-level China-Africa community through modernization. This is a theme that is important for us. Even the four key areas that are going to be pillars of this FOCAC: governance, BRI, agricultural modernization, and peace and security, are important for us, and we're keen and ready to engage on those issues," he said.

China-Tanzania relations deliver fruitful results, show promising future: minister

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth