China's top legislator holds talks with Tanzanian parliament speaker

Li Zhanshu(R), chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Job Yustino Ndugai, speaker of the Tanzanian National Assembly, in Beijing, capital of China, July 26, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, July 26 -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu held talks with Job Yustino Ndugai, speaker of the Tanzanian National Assembly here on Friday.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said since China and Tanzania established diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago, the two countries have treated each other sincerely, friendly and equally and shown mutual support and understanding for each other's core interests and major concerns.

He said China firmly supports Tanzania's efforts to explore a development path that suits its own national conditions in an independent way and is willing to positively support and participate in Tanzania's development and construction within China's own capacity.

Li said the NPC is ready to work with Tanzania's National Assembly to provide support and legal guarantee to promote cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction, human resources exploration, tourism and education between the two countries.

The NPC attaches great importance to relations with Tanzania's National Assembly and is willing to enhance governance experience exchange, and positively promote non-governmental cooperation and local exchanges, cement understanding and friendly exchanges between the two peoples, so as to consolidate the foundation of public opinions for the development of bilateral ties, Li said.

Ndugai appreciated China's selfless aid to his country and the Tanzanian people and said Tanzania will, as it has always been, resolutely uphold the one-China policy.

He said Tanzania is ready to work with China to implement the achievements of the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to benefit the two peoples.