Chinese VP to visit Tanzania to promote economic, trade partnership

Tanzania and China will mark their 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations during the six-day official visit of the Chinese Vice- President Li Yuanchao to Tanzania which begins on June 21, an official said on Tuesday.

"This visit will further strengthen China-Tanzania traditional friendship and political trust," the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Lu Youqing told a press conference held in the capital Dar es Salaam.

"In the 1960s, our two countries fought shoulder to shoulder for the independence and liberation of southern African countries and has built a strong friendship ever since," he said.

Lu said during the 26th United Nations General Assembly on Oct. 25, 1971, Tanzania and other African countries extended great support to the People's Republic of China in regaining its legitimate seat in the UN.

"The visit by Vice-President Li Yuanchao this time will surely enhance the political trust and move forward the China-Tanzania comprehensive partnership of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation," said the Chinese envoy.

He said during the visit, Vice-President Li will hold bilateral talks with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and other top Tanzanian officials.

Lu said during his visit, the Chinese Vice-President will attend a series of important events, including the 2nd Tanzania- China Investment Forum, the foundation laying ceremony of the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation Square and visit several China-Tanzania cooperation projects.

He said Li's visit will continue to implement the outcome of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit in March 2013 and the focus will be experience sharing of good governance and restructuring of economic cooperation.

The visit will also enhance China-Tanzania experience sharing in the fields of economic development and poverty reduction, Lu said, adding that the visit will further promote China-Tanzania pragmatic economic and trade cooperation.

China has become the largest trade partner and second largest investor in Tanzania. In 2013, the bilateral trade volume has reached 3.7 billion U.S. dollars, ranking Tanzania the fourth among 25 Southern African countries.

By the end of 2013, China's total investment volume in Tanzania has reached 2.5 billion dollars with nearly 500 Chinese companies in the East African country creating 150,000 local jobs.