Chinese president Xi visits Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Sunday for a state visit aimed at enhancing friendship and cooperation between China and the East African country.China and Tanzania enjoy a traditional brotherly friendship, which is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples, Xi said in a written statement upon arrival, hailing the two countries as all-weather friends. The Chinese president said his visit is aimed at consolidating the traditional friendship, charting the course for future cooperation and promoting common development. He said he is confident that the trip will inject new momentum and vigor into the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.Xi was warmly received at the airport by his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. Since China and Tanzania established diplomatic ties in the 1960s, the two countries have maintained close high-level contacts, enhanced political mutual trust and expanded practical cooperation in a wide range of areas. China has become Tanzanias largest trading partner and second largest source of investment. Bilateral trade reached 2.47 billion U.S. dollars last year, up 15.2 percent year on year. The Tanzania visit by Xi, his first to the African continent since he became Chinas president earlier this month, fully demonstrated Chinas commitment to growing its relations with African countries.No matter how international landscape may change, China will continue to support and promote Africas efforts to achieve peace, stability, prosperity and development, seek strength through unity and participate in international affairs on the basis of equality, Xi said