China’s Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi (pictured) was due to fly to Tanzania today (9 January) for talks on major infrastructure projects in the African nation, and its ambitious plans for industrialisation.
China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC)
During the one-day working visit Wang was to meet Tanzania’s the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, to discuss improving the Tanzania- Zambia Railway (TAZARA), Bagamoyo Port and standard gauge railways.
The pair will also discuss a plan to set up at least 200 factories in the next three years with China’s support, a move that will boost Tanzania’s drive to become an industrial nation, local newspaper The Daily News reports.
The small and medium sized factories are expected to generate 200,000 jobs.
China is the second largest investor and trading partner with Tanzania.
China has kicked off 2017 with an African charm offensive. On 7 January Wang held talks in Madagascar, after which he invited African countries to join China’s ambitious One Belt, One Road initiative, which sees new global transport corridors easing the way for Chinese goods to reach the rest of the world.
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