Tanzania has become a demonstration zone for deepening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and African countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared.

The view was expressed at a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday, on the sidelines of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

He emphasized that Tanzania is where China first put forward its Africa policy for the new era, as the two leaders discussed various ways to strengthen cooperation.

Various African leaders are in Beijing for the China-Africa Forum Summit, where the Chinese leader cited the Dar es Salaam Consensus jointly issued by Chinese and African scholars in Tanzania back in March.

He said it reflects the consensus among Global South countries on the right development path and philosophy, with China-Tanzania relations seen to be in line with the historical trend of development of the Global South, holding significant values and playing a leading role.

President Samia also met with Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, affirming that Tanzania is willing to strengthen exchanges of experience with China and explore innovative approaches to accelerating development in Africa.

Wang said that China is willing to work with Tanzania to deepen mutual trust and expand practical cooperation to benefit the peoples of China and Africa.

The two presidents as well as Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA).

President Samia said at the occasion that the Beijing summit will make new contributions to deepen friendly ties between Africa and China, significantly advancing Africa's industrialization and agricultural modernisation.

“China is a trusted and indispensable partner of Tanzania,” she said, noting that Tanzania is ready to work with China to advance the Belt and Road cooperation strategy.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania, with President Xi saying that China is ready to deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Tanzania.

This will deliver more benefits to both peoples and pass on the traditional friendship from generation to generation he said,  noting that China is willing to take the summit as an opportunity to push for new progress in the revitalization of the Freedom Railway and jointly improve the rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa

Khamis Mussa Omar, the Tanzanian ambassador to China, had earlier highlighted that the fourth plenary session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will enhance collaboration and present significant opportunities for Tanzanians.

In an interview with China’s CGTN Television early in the week, he said the forum had direct benefits for Tanzania, building on the progress made in 2021, focusing on key sectors such as infrastructure, modern agriculture and technology.

Key discussions will cover a range of topics, including the economy, people-to-people relations, development, technology, international issues, security and clean energy, he stated.