Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao promised to grant sincere and altruistic aid to African countries during his meeting with visiting Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in Beijing Friday.

Calling Tanzania an "all-weather friend" of China in east Africa, Wen said many opportunities were lying ahead for the two countries to facilitate cooperation.

He urged both countries to make full use of the political consultation system and bilateral economic and trade mixed commission to stipulate mutual investment by enterprises.

Citing the Tanzania-Zambia railroad or TAZARA as a "symbol" of the Sino-Tanzanian and Sino-African friendship, Wen said tens of thousands of Chinese constructors "rested in peace" in the remote country.

"China's aid to Africa will, as always, be sincere and altruistic," he said.

Constructed with Chinese assistance in the early 1970s, the TAZARA, about 1,860-km long, linking Kapiri Mposhi at 1,400 meters above sea level in central Zambia at one end and Dar es Salaam in coastal Tanzania at the other, is slowly but steadily transforming itself into one inseparable link on the transcontinental railway system long expected to facilitate trade between Mediterranean, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.

Kikwete echoed Wen's view by calling the Chinese "a great friend" of the African people.

"Tanzanians would forever bear in mind the sincere support and assistance granted by China. The Tanzania-China relations is exemplary in the good friendly cooperation between China and Africa," he said.

Kikwete said Tanzania attached great importance to and cherished its friendship with China, and would strive to deepen the relationship.

Both sides also agreed to facilitate cooperation in electric power, water conservancy and infrastructure construction.

By the end of 2005, China had over 800 enterprises in Africa, involving a total investment of 6 billion U.S. dollars. Trade volume between Africa and China rocketed to 39.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2005 after breaking the mark of 10 billion dollars in 2000.

Source: Xinhua