Tanzanian president meets with Chinese FM on bilateral ties_china

"The focus is to help developing countries strengthen infrastructure construction, better realize connectivity and enhance their independent development capabilities", he said.

"Tanzania is an advocate of Pan-Africanism and African solidarity".

In foreign relations, China adheres to the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal, Wang said.

The recent telephone conversation between the two heads of state charted the course for the future development of bilateral relations.

Liu said China and Africa have shown to the outside world "what a genuine friendship and mutual support mean", as both sides exchanged medical assistance amid the pandemic and Xi attended the summit on fighting the virus with African leaders via video link.

China fully understands the urgent desire of small island countries to cope with climate change. Noting that China has made remarkable achievements in economic development and bilateral economic and trade cooperation is win-win and mutually beneficial, Magufuli said Tanzania is ready to deepen cooperation with China, expand exports to China and attract more Chinese investment.

This year, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, founded 20 years ago to promote cooperation between China and African countries, is entering its third decade, and a FOCAC minister-level meeting will be held in Senegal this year.

He thanked China for its long-term and valuable support for Seychelles' economic and social development. However, India also has strong historic ties to the country, and Seychellois President Wavel Ramkalawan has family ties to India. China's development is a growing force for peace, justice, and other developing countries, he said.

Tanzania is ready to deepen cooperation with China under the framework of the FOCAC and work closely with China on worldwide and regional issues, he said.

Both sides shall take the opportunity of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to promote transformation and upgrading of bilateral cooperation, and help to accelerate Botswana's process of industrialization and digitalization in order to benefit the welfare of more people.

China will never forget that Tanzania was the first African country that President Xi Jinping visited after he took office as the Chinese president in 2013.

Wang said the two sides have agreed that China-Tanzania traditional friendship is a precious treasure shared by both sides and the people of China and Africa, adding that it must be cherished, passed on from generation to generation and carried forward.

Magufuli asked Wang to convey his honest greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the trip, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana signed cooperative documents with China on co-building the Belt and Road.

As early as when Africa was striving for national independence and liberation, China and Africa were comrades-in-arms sharing a common destiny and forged a profound friendship, he said, adding that China and Africa are partners for win-win cooperation at a time when Africa is developing and revitalizing its economy.

Liu Hongwu, dean of the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, noted that many African countries are faced with such challenges as inadequate infrastructure, debt crisis, hunger and poverty.