Hu says African visit produces new consensus

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-16 11:24

DAR ES SALAAM -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday said he reached new consensus with African leaders during his ongoing visit to the continent.

President Hu Jintao and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete wave to people in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, February 15, 2009. [Agencies]

"During my African visit, I had in-depth discussions with leaders of related countries on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, and we reached a number of new and important consensus," Hu said while giving an interview to Tanzanian State Television and Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and Tanzanian President Kikwete pose for the media Feb.14, 2008. [Agencies]

This is the president's sixth visit to Africa and his second since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006.

The four-country African tour has taken Hu to Mali and Senegal. After his stay in Tanzania. Hu will travel on to Mauritius before flying back home on Tuesday.

"The visit is aimed at cementing friendship, deepening cooperation, dealing with challenges and seeking common development," Hu said.

As a sincere friend of Africa, China will actively support African countries in developing their economies, and improving livelihood and strengthening cooperation, he said.

"China will fully and punctually implement measures agreed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, seek China-Africa pragmatic relations and promote the further development of our new strategic partnership," Hu said.

Eight measures announced at the landmark summit included massive tariff cuts, debt exemptions, and doubling aid to Africa over a three-year period among others.

Hu said he was satisfied with the development of China-Tanzania ties.

Noting Tanzania is an old and good friend of China, Hu said the bilateral relationship has moved forward in a sound and smooth way and yielded fruitful cooperation in various fields since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in 1964.

"It can be viewed as an exemplary relationship of sincerity, solidarity and cooperation between the two developing countries," Hu said.

In 2008, bilateral trade hit an all-time high, reaching more than 1 billion U.S. dollars, Hu said.

He held talks with Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and met Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume earlier on Sunday.

Hu said they reviewed the growth of China-Tanzania relations and set a direction for bilateral relations to develop in a new era.

The two sides agreed on cementing traditional friendship, deepening pragmatic cooperation and taking the relations to a new high, Hu said.

"With joint efforts, I am convinced that bilateral relations will have a promising future and benefit the two nations," Hu said.

Before the interview, Hu attended the completion ceremony of Tanzania's state stadium and paid tribute to a cemetery for Chinese experts who worked and died in Tanzania.