China Ambassador to Tanzania Lu Youqing (r), said that Chinese people will stand together with their Tanzanian counterparts during this period of implementation of the development plan
“The Chinese people will stand together with their Tanzanian counterparts during this period of implementation of the development plan.
I as the new ambassador will as much as possible strengthen our bilateral relations,” the new Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr Lu Youqing, said when briefing reporters on the just ended Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) annual meetings and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) among other things.
Tanzania is the most strategic country in the African continent and eastern African in particular, he said, adding that China is ready to cooperate with it in its development endeavours.
“We can see stable economy, improved livelihood of the Tanzanian people, especially in the recent years whereby the Tanzanian economy has developed steadily and smoothly,” Dr Lu Youqing said.
Dr Youqing said when he presented his credentials to President Jakaya Kikwete last week they agreed that the future economy and development of Tanzania must be very promising with the prevailing cooperation.
“You have to see the importance of Tanzania from the point that its advantages are obvious. Everyday I can see cargoes and ships in the Indian Ocean. Already Tanzania has established a very good centre of transportation and communication in the eastern parts of the continent and we hope in the future, she will establish logistics and manufacturing centres to cover the eastern and southern part of the continent,” he said.
“We shall work closely to facilitate the development of the Tanzanian people. I was told by Chinese investors in this country how good the business climate is. In the five year development plan of the country, many Chinese companies will take part and create more employment opportunities for Tanzanians as well as help increase economic growth,” he stressed.
When asked what would be his major focus as the new ambassador to Tanzania, the envoy said the first thing will be to promote political relations, mutual trust between the two countries and facilitate visits among high ranking officials.
Dr Youqing said he will ensure communication is facilitated between Tanzanian and Chinese ruling party officials.
“But I expect to facilitate communication between the Chinese ruling party and the Tanzanian ruling party,” said.
“When I met President Kikwete, Premier Mizengo Pinda and other government officials, they showed much appreciation of the Chinese reforms and the eventual opening up to the world. We shall also facilitate how to work together conducting good governance,” he noted.
The envoy said he has all along been thinking that Tanzania “should have better relations with China than any other country due to our long standing bilateral relations.”
The country has a lot of economic opportunities that Tanzanians need to tap for their economic development, he noted.
Responding on counterfeit products from China to other countries and claims that his country wants to bring in new colonialism to Africa, the new envoy said the two questions were big topics at the moment.
“Colonisation is a root of evil. Both China and Tanzania suffered and confronted the menace. We will never want its presence in the world,” the envoy said.
Dr Youqing said in all communication with Tanzania, the two countries have been enjoying mutual understanding and supported to each other.
“Those who claim that we are out to colonise Africa always speak falsely on our good relations. Any one who proclaims that China is after colonialism in Africa has his own intentions on the continent. They have their own intentions,” the envoy said.
On counterfeits, he said China is a world recognised factory and has been producing large amounts of products of good quality and lower prices.
“If today we said most of the products from China are of low quality, then we shall not have been enjoying such good trade volume.
We are aware however that there are counterfeit Chinese goods that are exported abroad. We are clear on this…we shall strike out poor products not only for Tanzania but to the whole world,” Dr Youqing stressed.
The envoy said strong oversight and supervision on exports and transportation of goods are crucial to check the counterfeits.
“But we are also asking all countries to ensure only quality Chinese products enter their destinations,” he said.
During the meeting, the envoy also spoke of China’s review of government work in 2011, problems in economic and social development, targets for economic and social development for 2012 and China’s future diplomacy.
By PATRICK KISEMBO, The Guardian
