Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao met with visiting Tanzanian Minister of Defense and National Service Edgar Maokola-Majogo. Hu, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), said that the Chinese government has always attached importance to friendly ties with Tanzania and other African nations.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin recently wrote to leaders of African countries calling for the convocation of the "China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial-Level Conference in Beijing in 2000", a move that has shown China's sincere hope and unremitting effort not only to strengthen its friendly ties with African countries, but also to promote solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, said Hu.

Hu lamented over the death of the former Tanzanian President Nyerere, and voiced the hope that the traditional friendship and comprehensive ties between China and Tanzania, forged by both leaders of the elder generation, will score better development in the coming century.

Hu also thanked the Tanzanian government for supporting China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

Majogo replied that Tanzania will treasure the friendship between both countries, adding that Tanzania highly appreciates China's role in international affairs and its effort in maintaining world peace and stability.

He reiterated that Tanzania will continue to hold unswervingly to the "One-China" policy.

CMC Vice-Chairman Chi Haotian, also state councilor and defense minister, attended the meeting.