Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo on Friday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Tanzania enjoy a long-standing and enduring traditional friendship forged by the elder generations of leaders of the two countries through trials and tribulations.
China cherishes its traditional friendship with Tanzania, and under the guidance of the important common understandings between the two heads of state, China stands ready to work with the new Tanzanian government to carry forward the traditional friendship, maintain high-level mutual trust and firm mutual support, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and promote the implementation of more outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Tanzania, so as to contribute to the modernization processes of both countries and deliver more benefits to the two peoples, Wang said.
Wang said his visit continues the tradition of China's foreign ministers making Africa their first overseas destination at the start of the year for 36 consecutive years, a practice demonstrating that China always stands together with Africa.
China has always viewed its cooperation with Africa from the perspective of South-South cooperation based on mutual support and assistance, and is willing to work with Africa to achieve common development and jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, Wang said.
Noting the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) is a symbol of friendship and a milestone in China-Africa cooperation, Wang called for joint efforts to revitalize the railway and build a TAZARA Railway prosperity belt to boost the comprehensive development of Tanzania and bring benefits to local people.
As Global South countries, China and Tanzania should join hands to safeguard the central role of the United Nations and the authority of international law, firmly support multilateralism, push for the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system, and defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, Wang said.
For his part, Kombo said Wang is the first foreign minister to visit Tanzania since its general elections, which demonstrates the close relationship between the two countries.
Kombo thanked China for its long-term selfless assistance and generous support for African countries, including Tanzania.
While hailing Tanzania-China relationship as a model of Africa-China cooperation, Kombo said the revitalization of TAZARA will vigorously promote regional connectivity and economic development.
He reaffirmed Tanzania's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, and expressed expectation for more benefits from China's zero-tariff policy for Africa.
Tanzania supports the Belt and Road Initiative and the four major global initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to work with China to deepen cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, enhance multilateral collaboration, and jointly safeguard fairness, justice, development and prosperity in the region and the world, Kombo added.
The two foreign ministers held a joint press conference after their talks.
Chinese FM holds talks with Tanzanian counterpart
Chinese FM holds talks with Tanzanian counterpart
