President Kikwete's welcoming remarks at the Mwalimu Nyerere Convention Centre

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania gives his remarks at the Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre earlier yesterday, during the two-day Official State Visit of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China.  (Photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago)

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WELCOMING REMARKS BY H.E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, AT THE OFFICIAL INAUGURATION OF THE MWALIMU NYERERE CONVENTION CENTRE, DAR ES SALAAM, 25 MARCH, 2013

                               

Your Excellency, Comrade President Xi Jinping and Madam Peng Liyuan;

Excellencies;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Once again I heartily welcome you, and First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan, to Tanzania.  Congratulations on your well deserved election to the highest offices of your great Country: Secretary General of the Communist Party of China and most recently President of the Peoples Republic of China. We are very pleased and, in fact humbled that you included Tanzania in your first visit to Africa since you assumed the Presidency in your great country. We in Africa highly appreciate this gesture of friendship and solidarity that in your first foreign trip, Africa is in your itinerary. And, more importantly we are anxious and excited that you will seize the opportunity of your visit to Tanzania to speak about China-Africa relations.  

Mr. President;

Your visit to Tanzania will further consolidate and advance the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Tanzania and China, built on a very solid foundation by the founding fathers of our two nations, (who unfortunately all are late) President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere on the Tanzanian side, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Chou en Lai on the Chinese side. The relationship we are witnessing today was further nurtured, consolidated and advanced by the successive generations of leaders in our respective countries. Fortunately for Tanzania two of my Predecessors, His Excellency Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the Second President and His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa the Third President are here with us.  

Sino -Tanzania relationship has endured a lot and withstood the test of time. It is the steadfastness of our leaders and peoples of our two countries which sustained it and enabled it to grow from strength to strength.  Now, we have become all weather friends.  The words of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere in a speech, delivered at the Peking Square in Beijing, during his state visit to China in February 1965 attests to underline this fact: 

He said: “We shall see for ourselves what are China's intentions towards us. We shall not be told by others........the fears of others will not affect Tanzania's friendship with China, any more than our friendship with other countries would be affected by what their opponents say of them".

Mr. President;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

When President Julius Nyerere established diplomatic relations with China in 1964, visited China in February, 1965, Premier Chou En Lai visited Tanzania in June 1965 and Tanzania supported China to take her rightful seat at the United Nations, it was at the height and intense heat of the cold war.  Today, forty eight years later the fear of China by others still remains, despite the cold war having ended.  Those words of wisdom by the founding father of our nation still resonate in my mind and the minds of all of us in government. They informed and guided Tanzania’s  - China policy for the past five decades. The fact of the matter is that “we will always be guided by our own judgment based on Tanzania’s best interests”.  I say this to assure you that Tanzania will continue to work closely with China at bilateral and multilateral settings in pursuit of national and global development goals of mutual interest.  

Mr. President;

Next year our two countries will be celebrating 50 years of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, friendship and cooperation.  Our relationship is excellent and China and Tanzania see eye to eye on many bilateral, regional and global issues.  Trade and investments have been increasing.  Tanzania has received invaluable support and assistance in our development endeavours as it has been the case with many African countries.  These have made a huge difference in the livelihood of our nations and peoples.  We will always be grateful and pray for continued support and assistance both at bilateral level and under FOCAC, which has proved to be a very useful initiative to support Africa’s development. In this regard we look forward to expansion of areas of cooperation and resource.

Your Excellency;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

We are gathered here this morning for official handover and inauguration of the Julius Nyerere Convention Centre built by the support and assistance from the Government and people of China.  This is another important milestone in the cooperation and solidarity between our two nations and peoples.  Indeed, it is quite befitting that this monumental building bears the name of the founding father of the Tanzanian nation and of China-Afri-Tanzania relationship.  We could not have chosen a better name.

 The Convention Centre joins the long list of other symbols of Sino-Tanzania friendship and cooperation.  These include, among others, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, Urafiki Textiles Mills, the National Stadium and several others which for brevity of time I will not mention all of them. 

The Julius Nyerere Convention Centre will provide another modern conference facility for Tanzania and will be the first of its kind in Dar es Salaam. It will now be easy for Dar es Salaam to host local and international conferences which require facilities like the ones available at this Convention Centre. I am sure it will also be a source of promoting conference tourism for the City of Dar es Salaam.  

Allow me, at this juncture to acknowledge and pay homage to your predecessor, His Excellency President Hu Jintao, for accepting my request and making it possible for this magnificent Julius Nyerere Convention Centre to be built. The people of Tanzania will forever cherish this symbol of true friendship.

Your Excellency;

Before I conclude let me express my profound gratitude to the China’s policy towards Africa. It has worked well and we have no doubt that the people of China will continue to walk with the people of Africa.  So far China has been a dependable supporter and ally of African countries and other Third World countries, in their quest for support in their development efforts and plea for a just and equitable world economic order. We are eagerly waiting to hear from you on the policy of your administration towards Africa. It is now my singular honour and pleasure to welcome you to address this audience.

Long live China-Tanzania friendship!  Long live China - Africa friendship!  Please welcome.

                       I thank you for your kind attention.    

Ziara ya Rais wa China hapa nchini yamalizika

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China, Mhe. Xi Jinping akiwa na Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kwa pamoja na wake zao Mama Peng Liyuan na Mama Salma Kikwete wakifurahia moja ya kikundi cha burudani kutoka Zanzibar kilichokuwepo Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere kwa ajili ya kumuaga Mhe. Xi Jinping na Ujumbe wake walipokuwa wanaondoka nchini baada ya kumaliza zaiara yake ya siku mbili

Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping na mwenyeji wake Mhe. Rais Kikwete walipokuwa wakisikiliza nyimbo za mataifa yao zikipigwa ikiwa ni ishara ya kumuaga Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping alipomaliza ziara yake ya siku mbili nchini kuanzia tarehe 24 hadi 25 Machi, 2013

Gwaride la Heshima wakati wa sherehe hizo za kumuaga Mhe. Xi Jinping, Rais wa China

Baadi ya Viongozi wa Juu wa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania wakiwa uwanjani hapo wakati wa sherehe za kumuaga Mhe. Xi Jinping, Rais wa China alipomaliza zaiara yake hapa nchini. Kutoka kulia ni Mhe. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, Makamu wa Rais, Mhe. Mizengo Pinda, Waziri Mkuu, Generali Davis Mwamunyange, Mkuu wa Majeshi ya Ulinzi, Inspekta Generali wa Polisi, Said Mwema  na Mhe. Abdulrahman Kinana, Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM)

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (Mb.) (kushoto), akiwa na Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam, Mhe. Said Mecky Sadick (katikati) na Mkuu wa Itifaki, Balozi Mohammed Maharage wakati wa sherehe za kumuaga Rais wa China, Mhe. Xi Jinping

Rais wa China, Mhe. Xi Jinping akifuatana na mkewe Mama Peng Liyuan wakipanda ndege baada ya kukamilisha ziara yao ya siku mbili hapa nchini

Rais wa China, Mhe. Xi Jinping na mkewe Mama Peng Liyuan wakiwapungia mkono Mhe. Rais Kikwete na ujumbe wake (hawapo pichani)  ikiwa ni ishara ya kuwaaga kabla ya kuingia kwenye ndege tayari kwa kuondoka nchini baada ya kumaliza ziara yao ya siku mbili.

Rais Kikwete na Rais Xi Jinping walipotembelea Makaburi ya Wataalam wa China huko Majohe

Mashada ya Maua yakiwa yamewekwa kwenye moja ya kaburi la Wataalam kutoka China waliofariki wakati wa ujenzi wa Reli ya TAZARA. Makaburi hayo zaidi ya 60 yapo katika eneo la Majohe-Ukonga nje kidogo ya Jiji la Dar es Salaam

Mhe. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na Mhe. Xi Jinping, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China wakitoa heshima zao kwenye makaburi hayo.

Sehemu ya Gwaride Maalum lililoandaliwa wakati wa utoaji heshima kwa Wataalam hao wa China waliozikwa katika eneo hilo.

Mhe. Rais Kikwete akisaini kitabu cha maombolezo kuwakumbuka Wataalam hao huku Mhe. Rais Xi pamoja na Mke wake, Mama Peng Liyuan na Mama Salma Kikwete wakishuhudia.

Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping naye akisaini kitabu hicho cha kumbukumbu.

Mhe. Rais Kikwete akitoa hotuba fupi kuwakumbuka wataalam hao ambao aliwaelezea kama mashujaa.

Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping naye aliungana na Mhe. Rais Kikwete kuwakumbuka Wataalam hao ambao aliwaelezea kama marafiki wa kweli kwa Tanzania.

Rais Xi Jinping wa China akutana kwa mazungumzo na Rais wa Zanzibar na Mhe. Mkapa

Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi, Mhe. Dkt. Ali Mohammed Shein akisalimiana na Rais wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China, Mhe. Xi Jinping walipokutana kwa mazungumzo kuhusu ushirikiano kati ya Tanzania na China katika Hoteli ya Serena Jijini Dar es Salaam.

Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping akizungumza na Mhe. Dkt. Shein walipokutana wakati wa ziara ya Mhe. Rais Xi hapa nchini.

Ujumbe uliofuatana na Mhe. Rais Shein wakifuatilia mazungumzo ya Marais hao wawili (hawapo pichani)

Mhe. Dkt. Shein akimweleza jambo Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping wakati wa mazungumzo yao.

Ujumbe uliofuatana na Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping wakati wa mazungumzo na Mhe. Dkt. Shein

Rais Mstaafu wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Benjamin William Mkapa akisalimiana na Rais wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China, Mhe. Xi Jinping walipokutana kwa mazungumzo maalum katika Hoteli ya Serena Jijini Dar es Salaam wakati wa ziara ya Mhe. Rais Xi hapa nchini.

Mhe. Mkapa akimtambulisha kwa Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping, Mhe. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (Mb), Naibu Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa.

Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping akisalimiana na Balozi Mbelwa Kairuki, Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Asia na Australasia katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa huku Mhe. Mkapa akishuhudia.

Mhe. Xi Jinping akisalimiana na Balozi Celestine Mushy, Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa kabla ya kuanza kwa mazungumzo kati ya Mhe. Mkapa na Rais huyo.

Ujumbe uliofuatana na Mhe. Mkapa alipokutana kwa mazungumzo na Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping wa China

Joint Communiqué between Tanzania and China

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China shake hands at the end of speeches.  (photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago)

Joint Communiqué between the United Republic of Tanzania and the People's Republic of China issued at the Conclusion of the State Visit to Tanzania by the President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Xi Jinping, 24th - 25th March, 2013.

I.     At the invitation of His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China paid a state visit to the United Republic of Tanzania from 24th - 25th March, 2013.

II.    During his visit, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.  In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views and reached great understanding on bilateral relations, implementation of the outcomes of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and regional and international issues of shared interest.  The two sides signed a number of agreements on strengthening friendly cooperation between China and Tanzania. 

III.    The two sides applauded the traditional China-Tanzania relationship and expressed their satisfaction with the fruitful results delivered through friendly China-Tanzania cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties.  The two sides agreed to hold a series of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of China-Tanzania relations next year. 

IV.    The two sides held the view that to further deepen China-Tanzania relations serve the interest of the two countries and the two people and agreed to build and develop a comprehensive partnership based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation in order to strengthening political mutual trust, enhance practical cooperation, promote people-to-people friendship and achieve common development. 

V.     The two sides pledged to support each other's core issues concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability, development and other core national interests.  China expressed its support for the efforts Tanzania had made to safeguard national and ethnic unity, and the growth of the economy.  Tanzania reaffirmed its support for the one China policy and support for the efforts of the Chinese government to promote national reunification.  The Chinese side fully appreciated this principled position of the Tanzania side. 

VI.    The two sides spoke positively about the outcome of bilateral economic cooperation and trade and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture, telecommunication, export processing zone and other areas.  The Chinese government will continue to provide assistance to Tanzania within its capacity, facilitate the investment of competitive Chinese enterprises in Tanzania, and encourage Chinese financial institutions to actively explore the possibility of providing financial support for Tanzania's infrastructure construction. 

VII.    The two sides expressed their readiness to further expand people-to-people exchanges, enhance exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, science and technology, health, tourism and press and to promote closer contacts between youth, women, people's organizations and academic institutions.  The Chinese side will set up a China Cultural Centre in Tanzania. 

VIII.    The two sides agreed to maintain close cooperation in international affairs and strengthen coordination and collaboration in the United Nations and other multilateral fora to jointly uphold the rights and interests of developing countries. 

IX.      China applauded the great achievements that the government of Tanzania had made in national development under the leadership of President Kikwete and Tanzania's positive contribution to maintain peace, stability and development in Africa.  Tanzania expressed its appreciation for the long-standing support China had provided for its economic and social development. 

X.       The two sides agreed that Africa is a continent with a promising future and an important force for world peace and stability.  China expressed its readiness to play a constructive role for promoting peace and development in Africa. 

XI.      The two sides applauded the friendly cooperation between China and Africa, appreciated the positive role that FOCAC had played to promote the development of China-Africa relationship, agreed to carry out closer cooperation to fully implement the outcomes of the Fifth FOCAC Ministerial Conference and to promote further the development of the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa. 

XII.     During his visit, President Xi Jinping also met with His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, President of Zanzibar and Mr. Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania. 

XIII.    In a speech, Trustworthy Friends and Sincere Partners Forever, delivered at Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre on 25th March, 2013, President Xi Jinping elaborated on China's policy of seeking peace and promoting development together with Africa, which was highly appreciated by the Tanzania side. 

XIV.    The Chinese side expressed its appreciation for the warm hospitality accorded to President Xi Jinping during his stay in Tanzania. 


Done in Dar es Salaam on this 25th day of March, 2013. 

Tanzania, China pledge for win-win cooperation

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania gives his remarks at the Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre earlier yesterday, during the two-day Official State Visit of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China.  

 President Kikwete continues with his remarks which he expressed satisfaction of the two countries' continued cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties almost fifty years ago.  Right is President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China listens to his remarks.

Directors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation were also in attendance, listening to delivery speech of H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

Ambassador Celestine Mushy (3rd left), Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was among the listeners during the speech.

Foreign Service Officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs keenly listening to President Kikwete's speech.

President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China listens to President Kikwete's speech.

Speech Deliverance by H.E. President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China

H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of China delivers his speech, highlighting his appreciation of longstanding relation that existed between Tanzania and China nearing fifty years and his countries view on Afro-China relations.

President Xi Jinping continues with his speech while President Jakaya Mrish Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania keenly listens to the speech.  During his speech, President Xi Jinping also pledged the continued cooperation with Tanzania in key areas such as education, health, press, science and technology and culture.   

Ambassador Mbelwa Kairuki (2nd left), Director of the Department of Asia and Australasia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation listens to the anxiously anticipated speech delivery of President Xi Jinping. 

Distinguished guests keenly listening to President Xi Jinping's speech. 

  

Some Members of Parliamentary listening to President Xin Jinping as he delivers his speech.

Other attendees during the speech, that included IPP Media CEO and Chairman, Mr. Reginald Mengi (2nd left) and Foreign Service Officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Ambassador Vincent Kibwana (first right), Director of the Department of Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also was in the audience listening to the speech delivered by President Xi Jinping.

Distinguished guests that included Members of Parliament all listening to the delivery of President Xi Jinping's speech.  

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

The Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre Key-Handover Ceremony

Center stage where the key-handover ceremony is about to take place.

Hon. Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, who was also a Master of Ceremony, welcomes distinguished guests before the key-handover ceremony of the Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre takes place between H.E. President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China and H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania.  The Convention Centre was built in support of the Chinese Government. 

President Kikwete (right) and President Xi Jinping (left) listening to Minister Bernard K. Membe.

President Kikwete holding high the symbolic key that was presented to him by President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, during the key-handover ceremony of the Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre, built by the support of the Chinese Government. 

Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Mohamed Juma Maharage, walking off the stage with the key in custody after the handover ceremony between the Presidents. 

Listening on is Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (MP), Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Listening on is Mr. John M. Haule (right), Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Ambassador Rajab Gamaha (3rd right), Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Ambassador Irene Kasyanju (left), Director of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Mr. Omary Mjenga (right), former Country Representative for the United Nations Office for Projects Services in Sierra Leone (UNOPS) were also in attendance.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago