Tanzanian ambassador to China Mbelwa Kairuki accepts an interview with Xinhuanet in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2019. (Xinhuanet/Li Xia)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The changes that have taken place in China over the past 70 years is a “great leap forward”, Tanzanian ambassador to China Mbelwa Kairuki said in a recent interview with Xinhuanet.

One of the changes is that hundreds of millions of people in China have been lifted out of poverty, said the ambassador.

The concept of targeted poverty alleviation focuses on people’s well-being, he added. “Now, this targeting initiative to reduce poverty has been quite successful at all levels,” he praised.

Other changes include that massive infrastructure has been constructed in China and that China is pioneering in agriculture, according to the ambassador.

This year 2019 is special for Tanzania and China as it marks the 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, he said. Over the last 55 years, Tanzania and China have cooperation in many fields.

Tanzania hopes to attract Chinese investment for infrastructure, especially in the construction of industrial parks, he said.

Tanzania is one of the main beneficiaries of various initiatives proposed during the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), said the ambassador.

In addition, Tanzania attended the first China International Importation Expo (CIIE) held in November 2018, which was a good opportunity for Tanzanian products to be promoted in the Chinese markets, he noted.

The ambassador expressed hopes for more trade between Tanzania and China and more Tanzanian agricultural products to be exported to the Chinese market, including coffee, cashew nuts, tea, sesame, and soybeans.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a global initiative by China, he said, “It is Chinese innovation and it is Chinese contribution to the world.”

Currently, new challenges have arisen such as economic instability around the world. The ambassador thought these challenges need to be addressed jointly by the countries along the Belt and Road.

The ambassador hoped that Tanzania and China have an opportunity to talk on the achievements that have been made and look forward to the future during the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held next month.