Chinese, Tanzanian presidents meet to cement ties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-15 20:21

DAR ES SALAAM -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete met here Sunday to cement traditional friendship between China and the East African nation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C, front) is greeted by Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (R, front) upon his arrival at the airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 14, 2009. Hu arrived here on Saturday night for a state visit to Tanzania. [Xinhua]

The one-hour meeting took place at the presidential palace where the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral ties, the implementation of the measures announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006, as well as the current global financial crisis.

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After the talks, a number of cooperation agreements were signed.

This was the first visit paid by a Chinese president to the East African nation since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1964.

Hu was welcomed by a 21-gun salute before inspecting Tanzanian honor guards at the welcoming ceremony.

Later on Sunday, Hu will also meet with Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume, attend the completion ceremony of Tanzania's state stadium and visit a cemetery for the Chinese experts who worked and died in Tanzania.

The Chinese leader flew into Dar es Salaam, the forth stop of his week-long trip, from Dakar after concluding a visit to Senegal.

Hu's five-nation tour, his first overseas trip in 2009, was described as "a journey of friendship and cooperation."

Earlier, Hu visited Saudi Arabia and Mali. He will also visit Mauritius before returning home on Tuesday.