China's Fan Changlong promotes military ties with Tanzania

Fan Changlong(L), vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission meets with Tanzanian President John Magufuli(R) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Monday.[Photo/Xinhua]

China is willing to work with Tanzania to consistently deepen military cooperation and develop bilateral military ties to new heights, said Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission on Monday.

Fan made this remark during his three-day visit to Tanzania, which started Nov 19. He met with Tanzanian President John Magufuli, Defense and National Service Minister Hussein Ali Hassan Mwinyi and visited Tanzanian troops and the military academy, according to China's Defense Ministry.

China-Tanzania relations were elevated to an all-around cooperation partnership after President Xi Jinping's visit in 2013, Fan said. Fan added his visit was to implement the consensus reached by the state leaders of both sides and further enhance bilateral relations.

Fan said he appreciated Tanzania's achievements in national and military construction. He pointed out that China has maintained long-term and close military exchanges with Tanzania as good friends and will carry forward the friendship.

Magufuli expressed gratitude for China's tremendous support and selfless assistance to Tanzania over the years, saying the Tanzania-China friendship is Tanzania's precious treasure.

Tanzania is willing to conduct all-round exchanges and cooperation with China in political, economic, military and other fields to benefit the peoples of the two countries, he said.