Li touts Sino-Tanzanian projects

Premier Li Keqiang underscored the importance of implementing China-Tanzania cooperation on key projects when he met Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda on Thursday.

"Chinese people will continue to provide assistance to Tanzania as capacity allows, and also we hope the Tanzanian side will provide the necessary convenience and support for the Chinese enterprises developing there," Li told Pinda, who was on an official visit to China to attend the 14th Western China International Fair.

Li and Pinda witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative documents in diplomacy, trade and economy, science and technology, tourism and agriculture.

Tanzania was President Xi Jinping's first stop on the African continent during his first overseas visit after taking office in March, and next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relationship.

Li underlined the long-standing friendship between the two nations and their common identity as developing economies, and he said the Chinese side is willing to work with Tanzania to strengthen strategic planning.

He also stressed that "developing the friendly cooperation between China and African countries has always been a pillar of China's diplomatic strategy".

"China is willing to work with African nations in a concerted way to take the opportunities, meet the challenges and strive to create peaceful and stable circumstances for development," Li said.

Pinda congratulated Li for his successful - and first - visit to Southeast Asia after assuming office. From Oct 9 to 15, Li attended a series of East Asia summits in Brunei and officially visited Brunei, Thailand and Vietnam.

During meetings with his counterparts from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Li called for joint efforts to weather the storm of global financial crisis while stressing the importance of maintaining a peaceful and stable South China Sea.

Mo Jingxi contributed to this story.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/18/2013 page11)