Tanzanians participate in New Year celebrations

Policies supporting the relationship between Tanzania and China will continue through the new year, says the vice-president of the Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan. She says that her country is committed to strengthening established bilateral ties with its second-biggest foreign investor for the mutual benefit of both nations' people.

The vice-president was speaking during the official opening of the two day Chinese cultural festival named Focus on Africa - Happy Chinese New Year in Tanzania 2017 Spring Festival Temple, Fair, Art and Cultural Show in the capital city of Dar Es Salaam.

She says the New Year, which is the Year of Rooster, symbolizes trustworthiness, timekeeping and responsibility at work, characteristics that support and enhance the Chinese-Tanzanian relationship.

"It also complements Tanzania's motto of Hapa Kazi Tu, (Work in Progress)," she says.

While conveying President John Magufuli's best wishes to the people of China, Hassan says China continues to be a strong and invaluable development partner and that fully supports her country's political, economic, social and military development endeavors.

"Last year, which was the Year of Monkey, we hosted the fifth Joint Economic, Trade and Technical Commission that saw Beijing grant 300 million yuan ($43.8 million) to Tanzania."

Military cooperation also warranted a visit from General Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Liberation Army, in November to lay the foundation for the building of a military academy at Bagamoyo district. China is funding the project, valued at $29 million, which will become the second military outfit in Africa after Djibouti.

"We will fully realize our mutual dream of bettering the lives of our people. The success of China in bailing out millions of people from poverty continue to inspire us as we embark on transforming our economy. We admire China's resolve in fighting corruption and we too are undertaking comprehensive reforms that have resulted in some development in our economy. I know that we may be ambitious, but there are good reasons to be optimistic. China has done it in the past and we can do it now. We certainly need your support," says the vice-president.

Present during the ceremony were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation Augustine Mahiga; Charles Mwijage, the minister of industrialization, trade and investment; Fenella Mukangara, the minister of information, youth, culture and sports; and the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Lu Youqing, among other dignitaries.

The event was organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the Chinese embassy in Tanzania and the local ministry of information, culture, arts and sports.

While acknowledging the two countries' strong friendship, the Chinese ambassador says that the new year presents an opportunity for the two partners to join hands and write a new chapter of cooperation.

"We are impressed by the structural reforms undertaken by Tanzania in strengthening their institutions, such as through fighting corruption. This shows their commitment to improving people's standards by offering quality government services," says Lu.

He was happy about the large turnout, especially the locals, saying the event provides an amiable environment to exchange and learn from different cultures. This will promote harmony as the two peoples live side by side, he says.

He officially handed over a donation worth 70.4 million Tanzanian shillings ($31,150) to the vice-president for Chato Primary School, a donation by Chinese institutions and Chinese living in Tanzania and at home.

On his part, the minister of foreign affairs says Tanzania continues to work under the framework set during the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in December 2015 in South Africa. "Our country has been given priority by China, which is a great symbol of the ongoing bilateral relationship that has lasted over 50 years. Going forward, we believe that the new year will rejuvenate, invigorate and recharge this relationship."

He was pleased with the embassy's efforts to infuse creativity and innovation into the celebrations, with performers from the Cultural Performance Troupe of Jinan, Shandong Province in Eastern China, entertaining the gathering. Mahiga says that students drawn from the Confucius Institute (CI) benefited, in particular. There are two CIs based in the University of Dar Es Salaam and the University of Dodoma, respectively.

The troupe from Shandong showcased their skills in magic, acrobatics, Chinese tai chi, songs and dances from different ethnic groups in China. Students from the CIs also performed.

Ramadhani Mshana, from one of the universities, says the cultural mix is important in the sustenance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

"We learn about them, and they know us better, which founds a good relationship and supports coexistence. As young people, it also offers opportunities for accessing jobs in Chinese companies," says Mshana who currently works as a training manager at GTI Investments, a Chinese electronics company in the city.

Among the guests was Sanjay Rughani, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank. While passing his good wishes on to the Chinese people in Tanzania, he notes that their business has been a significant part of the bank's good performance last year. "We look forward to serving the community in the new year. I believe we will witness an upswing since the relationship between China and Tanzania keeps growing. The attendance of top government officials at this cultural event is a testament of respect mutually shared by the two governments."

About 60 Chinese companies put up stands at the grounds. The Chinese community were also treated to cultural foods and a lottery that saw winners win, among others, an all-expense-paid trip to any Chinese city.

This is the seventh spring cultural event organized by the Chinese embassy in Tanzania.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/27/2017 page21)