Xi highlights 'shared destiny' (2)

Beijing will also expand cooperation with Africa in investment, financing, transnational and trans-regional infrastructure development, Xi said.

China will train 30,000 African professionals and provide 18,000 government scholarships to African students from 2013 to 2015, and increase technology transfer and experience sharing with Africa, he added.

Xi said China insists on equality among all countries, irrespective of size, strength and wealth.

He said Beijing expects a more united Africa and better relations between Africa and other countries,

"Africa belongs to the African people," he said

"In developing relations with Africa, all countries should respect Africa's dignity and independence," he said.

In addition, Xi said "China will face squarely and sincerely the new developments and new problems" confronting China-Africa relations.

"We should properly handle any problem that may arise in a spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. I am convinced that there will always be more opportunities than challenges and more solutions than difficulties."

In a humorous aside, appreciated by the audience, Xi mentioned a Chinese TV series, A Beautiful Daughter-in-law Era, which was a big hit in Tanzania.

The television episode was dubbed in Swahili and broadcast in eastern African countries last year to give African audiences a glimpse of the intricacies of life in China.

"Sino-Tanzania ties have endured a lot, and with the test of time, will grow from strength to strength. We are ‘all-weather friends'," Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete said ahead of the speech.

Tanzania's policy toward China is "guided by Tanzania's own judgment based on its basic interests", he said. "So far, China has been a dependable supporter and an ally of African countries and other Third World countries ... in their appeal for a just and equitable world economic order," Kikwete added.

James F. Mbatia, an engineer and chairperson of the National Convention for Construction and Reform, said Africans "have the capacity to judge who is helping us".

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