President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday that China firmly supports African countries to make joint efforts in settling regional conflicts and developing their economy, and is ready to work together with them for their rejuvenation and development.

Hu made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, who attended the Global Conference on Scaling up Poverty Reduction held in Shanghai from May 26 to 27.

The two sides conferred on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus.

Hu said China and Tanzania enjoy profound traditional friendship. Since the forging of the bilateral diplomatic ties 40 years ago, Sino-Tanzanian relations, nurtured by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries, continuously consolidate and develop.

In recent years, the two countries kept frequent high-level visits, and scored fruitful results in the cooperation in the fields of trade, culture, education, and public health, he noted.

"We thank Tanzania for its firm support for China on the Taiwan issue and human rights issue," Hu said.

Hu proposed that the two sides maintain high-level exchange of visits, develop mutual-beneficial cooperation and enhance consultation and coordination for the interests of developing nations.

Mkapa expressed appreciation for China's assistance in the fields of economy, culture, education and public health. He said Tanzania hopes to learn from China's experience in economic development.

Tanzania will unswervingly adhere to the one-China policy, oppose Taiwan independence, and support China's reunification efforts, he said.

China has made concerted efforts in promoting the peace, stability and development of Africa, he said, and China is a "trustworthy" cooperation partner of African countries.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2004)