IN the first half of this year, the trade volume between China and Tanzania reached 3.558 billion US dollars (8.2tri/-), recording a year-on-year growth of 31.5 per cent, it has been revealed.
While Tanzania imports a variety of products from China, including machinery, electronic equipment, vehicles and iron and steel, the East African country’s major export to the world’s second economic giant is cashew nuts, oily seeds, refined copper, sawn wood, precious metals ore, coconut and other vegetable fibers
The Ambassador of China to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian made the statement on Thursday during an online reception in celebration of the 73rd Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking in a meeting that was also attended by four ministers from Tanzania, Amb Chen assured that China will continue working together with Tanzania on various areas of cooperation for mutual benefits.
She said the two countries have also signed documents for China to grant zero tariff treatment to products under 98 per cent of taxable items originating from Tanzania.
“A large number of China-Tanzania cooperation projects, such as Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station and Kagera Regional Vocational Training and Service Centre, are making steady progress,” she said.
She noted that China has been actively fulfilling its commitment of assisting Tanzania to fight against Covid-19, and that up to now it has donated 5.61 million doses of vaccines to Tanzania.
“It is worth mentioning that China and Tanzania continue to understand and support each other on issues relating to each other’s core interests and major concerns, and work together to safeguard international fairness and justice,” added the diplomat.
She also acknowledged Tanzania’s stand of remaining committed to the one- China principle and supported China’s righteous stance on the Taiwan question.
“This is a vivid example of the all-weather friendship between China and Tanzania, to which we highly appreciate,” she said, adding that China will strive for its national rejuvenation from a new starting point in history, and China-Africa, China-Tanzania cooperation will be blessed with new historic opportunities.
“China is ready to enhance alignment of development strategies and policy communication with Tanzania, continue to incorporate China’s development into the common development of the two countries as well as support Tanzania’s efforts to achieve independent and sustainable development,” she noted.
For her part, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Amb Liberata Mulamula commended the outstanding leadership of the Communist Party of China that has achieved prosperity and economic growth in the last 73 years.
“It is impressive that more than 700 million people in China have shaken off poverty, accounting for over 70 per cent of worldwide poverty reduction,” said the minister.
She maintained that Tanzania is committed to further strengthening its strategy, communication and policy synergy and to fully implement the Nine Programmes of the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“We are ready to work with China to carry over the Tanzania-Zambia railway (Tazara) spirit, keep it modernised with the trend of the times and make the line an important transportation corridor in the region,” noted the minister.
Adding; “Tanzania stands ready to work with China to actively advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative to deepen all-round cooperation”.
In attendance to the event was the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Amb Dr Pindi Chana, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, (Community Development, Gender and Special Groups), Mohamed Mchengerwa, (Culture, Artists and Sports) and Dr Stergomena Tax, Minister for Defence and National Service.
