China to build cultural centre in Tanzania

By Beatrice Philemon

1st April 2013

 

 

President Xi Jipping and President Jakaya Kikwete when visit Tanzania last week

China’s government has revealed plans to set up a Chinese cultural centre in Tanzania that will accommodate 100-120 Chinese students at a time.

The plans were revealed over the weekend by the Cultural Counsellor from the Chinese Embassy, Liu Dong, as he highlighted expectations in the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping visit last week.

“Right now a discussion on how to implement the said project between Tanzania and China is underway…,” he said.

Next year, China will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tanzania and China. It is planned that the said centre be up and running by then so that both countries may stage performances to promote cultural relations.

But the center is only one of many more short and long term plans entered into contract by the two countries when their diplomatic heads convened in Dar es Salaam.

The diplomat revealed that both countries have agreed to develop better business and professional relations, increase investment through large infrastructure projects like transport and communication, and most of all in agriculture.

All in all, the two countries will increase relations with Tanzania benefiting from the technology transfer and experiences while China secure investment grounds as well as a growing market.

Liu Dong made clear that China will continue to support Tanzania and further pledged to encourage the ‘giant’ China firms to invest in Tanzania as well as bring on board the Chinese financial institutions to support the said projects.

He also noted that the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Tanzania will live up to the agreement signed by President Xi Jinping and President Jakaya Kikwete, to open a new chapter of social and economic relationships between the two countries.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN