On 23 May 2008, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania H. E. Liu Xinsheng received an interview by Ms. Tuma Abdaliah, staff writer of the "Daily News". The questions raised by Ms. Abdaliah and the responses made by Ambassador Liu, as published in "Daily News" on June 1, are the following:

Question: On May 12, China was hit by the deadliest and strongest earthquake since 1976. How do you assess the response by the international community to the Sichuan disaster?

Answer: The international community has responded positively on the earthquake. It has extended sincere sympathy and condolence to the Chinese Government and people in various ways, and offered strong support and assistance to the relief work. By 20 May, 166 countries and more than 30 international organizations have extended their solicitude to China. International assistance keeps flowing to China, with the total volume reaching two billion RMB (equivalent to USD 310 million). Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in China came to the Foreign Ministry to mourn the deceased in an endless stream. Apart from that, over 100 countries' embassies and offices of international organizations in China flew their flags at half -mast. People outside China, some heads of states, including President Jakaya Kikwete, Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein and Prime Minister Mr. Mizengo Pinda of Tanzania, have been to our diplomatic missions overseas to express their condolence.

The Chinese people are highly appreciative. A friend in need is a friend indeed. All these expressions of sympathy and offers of help embody the friendly affections of various governments and people towards the Chinese people and their lofty humanitarian spirit. We believe that with the strong support of the international community, we will eventually overcome the difficulties and rebuild our home.

Question: Experts say there has been a growing lethality of earthquake in many third world countries including China due to failure by states to adhere to seismic safety in terms of proper building and land-use codes as well as better enforcement of those codes. What is the validity of this comment?

Answer: A report released in 2004 by the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development concluded that schools routinely collapsed in quakes around the world because of avoidable design or construction errors, or because existing laws and building codes were not properly enforced. That report entitled Keeping Schools Safe in Earthquakes directs to the blame to the school buildings from Asia to the Americas.

I believe there are more factors related to the lethality of earthquake than the quality of buildings. Factors such as ability to forecast and monitor earthquake, population density, average living standard of the people also counts.

I'd like to stress that schools are the venues with a lot of students and teachers. In the daytime, students are usually in their classes. Being young boys and girls, most of the students are more vulnerable than adult in the face of earthquake. And I believe most governments are meant to benefit and protect their people when making decisions, not otherwise.

I have noticed that some blamed the heavy casualties of students in the quake-hit areas in China's Sichuan for the poor quality of the school buildings. The Chinese government will investigate the construction quality of collapsed schools once the rescue work is completed. And I believe that, if the quality problems do exist in these school buildings, those found responsible will be dealt with severely.

Question: Tanzania and China have historic relations. How do you gauge the ties that have existed over the years? How can you explain this relationship?

Answer: The relationship that have happily existed between China and Tanzania can be defined as "all-weather" friendship, that is, a sustainable friendly relationship that has not been, and will not be subjected to changes both at the global level, and within our respective countries.

Historically, the China-Tanzania friendship has been forged and nurtured by the founding fathers of both countries, and strengthened during the struggle against colonialism and for national independence. Nowadays, in the era of globalization the friendly cooperation between our two countries has continued to grow and expand in our present common cause to enhance global peace and promote common development.

The dynamics behind the all-weather partnership include the political mutual trust which enables us to support each other on issues concerning our national development, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mutual beneficial cooperation in a variety of economic fields such as agriculture, telecommunications, trade, investment, resources exploration, infrastructure and human resources development. And we are ready to expand cooperation in these fields.

Our two countries have also enjoyed good cooperation in culture, education, health and tourism apart from people-to-people contact. Which help them to understand each other's cultural heritage, thus laying the solid foundation of bilateral ties and pushing forward our bilateral relations in an all-round and in-depth manner.

Question: What is the volume of trade and investment between Tanzania and China? Are you satisfied by the trend and what should be done for the further improvement?

Answer:In recent years, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries have developed rapidly thanks to joint efforts of the governments, business and industry sectors of both countries. In 2007, the bilateral trade volume stood at $800 million with an annual increase of 48%, while Tanzania's export to China stood at $200 million which increase at 31% annually.

At the same time, economic and technical cooperation between our two countries continues to expand. So far, more than 40 Chinese enterprises have made presence in Tanzania, and the total Chinese direct investment has reached $114 million. I am pleased with the trend and hope that under the framework of China Africa Cooperation Forum, we can expand the fields and contents of our cooperation and further improve the level and scale of cooperation.

Of course, while the trade and economic relations with Tanzania are developing continuously, we are aware of the problem of imbalance in our bilateral trade and have already taken positive steps to resolve the problem.

First, to fulfill the Eight Measures announced by President Hu Jintao at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and to increase import from Tanzania, the Chinese government accords zero tariff treatment to certain products from Tanzania. From 1st July 2007, the number of the products which enjoy zero tariff treatment has increased from 190 to over 450.

Second, Chinese government encourages credible Chinese companies coming to invest and explore business opportunities in Tanzania and other African countries. In April, 2008, the China-Africa Investment Forum was held in Arusha which proved to be a great success.

Third, we will continue to invite Tanzanian enterprises to exhibit their products in China so as to further increase export of Tanzania's products to China and improve share of Tanzania's products in the Chinese market. We believe that with the joint efforts of China and Tanzania, Tanzania's export to China will increase more and the status of trade imbalance between the two countries will be improved gradually.

Question: How can China, the largest developing country in the world and Africa, a continent with the largest number of developing countries, strengthen cooperation and promote common development?

Answer: China and Africa bear many similarities. First, Both China and Africa belong to developing countries. China is the biggest developing country while Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. Second, both China and Africa have struggled hard for the national liberation. And third, both are important forces for global peace and development. These similarities partially account for why China-Africa friendship has stood the test of times.

The culmination of China-Africa relations in recent years occurred in the year 2006, which witnessed the success of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

At the Beijing Summit, the Chinese and African leaders unanimously agreed to establish and develop a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange. They also adopted a plan for promoting China-Africa cooperation in the next three years. The Chinese government announced eight policy steps to enhance practical cooperation with Africa and support Africa's development, which, among other things, include expanding China's assistance to Africa, canceling the debts of Highly Indebted Poor Countries and Least Developed Countries in Africa, opening China's market to Africa and broadening China-Africa cooperation in the economic and social fields. The Beijing Summit stands for a new starting point of China-Africa cooperation, which also provides some clues to your question.

From China's perspective, we can strengthen cooperation and promote common development by joint efforts in the following key areas - maintain close political dialogue and coordination and increase mutual understanding and trust, deepen cooperation and expand economic and technological exchange to achieve benefit and win-win progress, strengthen dialogue and exchanges between the Chinese and African civilization and make common progress through mutual learning and enrichment and treat each other as equals and strengthen cooperation in international affairs to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Question: There are widespread allegations that China is leading in the production and sell of counterfeit products. How is China protecting its image?

Answer: First of all, the allegation against Chinese products is totally groundless. China's import and export volume reached USD 2,174 billion in 2007, the third largest country in the world. Chinese government has always been attaching great importance to quality of products. Chinese enterprises follow strictly the set regulations and procedures to assure the quality of commodities.

Chinese products are nice and cheap, welcomed by consumers from all over the world. Chinese government pays great attention to combat counterfeit products. First, a series of laws and regulations have been established to protect consumers' interests.

Second, education and awareness campaign have been launched to highlight the harm of fakes. Third, different government authorities, including Ministry of Commerce, State Administration for Industry & Commerce and General Administration of China Customs, have been collaborating to prevent the production, selling and export of counterfeit products. Last but not the least, cooperation between the governments of China and other countries has been intensified to avoid and resolve the problem of export of counterfeit products.

Question: China is said to be supplying firearms to some African countries. How do you explain the move?

Answer:Sincerity, equality and mutual benefit, solidarity and common development - these are the principles guiding China-Africa exchanges and cooperation and the driving force to lasting China-Africa relations.

For many years until the early 1980s, China did not engage in weapons exports, and since then the volume of such exports has been limited. China participates in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms Transfers (Exports). And the records of the UN register of conventional arms exports and imports of various countries show that China's exports of conventional weapons are small compared to those of some other countries.

Three principles China has always adhered to in its arms exports: being conducive to the capability for just self-defense of the recipient country, no injury to the peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole and no interference in the internal affairs of the recipient country.

China always takes a responsible attitude toward the transfer of military equipments. China has strict laws and regulations in this regard. Only sovereign states can military equipments be transferred to, and they are required to promise not to transfer the equipment imported from China to the third country. China strictly abides by the related resolution of the United Nation's Security Council. Military equipment and related technology are not allowed to export to those countries and regions prohibited importing weapons.

So with regard to the transfer of military equipment and related technology, China respects the right of every country to independent or collective self-defense and to acquisition of weapons for this purpose in accordance with the principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations, but at the same time it is pays attention to the adverse effects on world security and regional stability arising from excessive accumulation of weaponry.

I would also like to emphasize the purpose of China's supplying firearms to some African countries is to help them to protect their people from incursion, terrorism and pirate harassment.

Question: The Chinese government is supporting construction of the proposed Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar ea Salaam. What is the status of the project?

Answer: At the request of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Chinese government agreed to help the government of Tanzania to implement the Project of the Mwalimu Nyerere International Convention Centre. On April 11, 2008, H.E. Mr. Chen Deming,the Chinese Minister of Commerce, and Mr. Bernard Kamillius Membe, the Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, signed the relevant exchange of documents for the project.

Under the aforesaid agreement, the Chinese side is responsible for the design of the project. China will also provide necessary construction machinery, equipment and materials and take care of the installation and testing of the equipment. Moreover, China will send engineering and technical personnel to Tanzania to perform construction arrangements. Having finished surveying on the project, Chinese side is now working on designing.

Question: In August China will be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. How prepared the country is?

Answer: First and foremost, I would like to express my congratulation to the successful Olympic Torch Relay in Dar es Salaam and my heartfelt thanks to the support and cooperation of Tanzanian government and people.

Beijing's general goal is to host a high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features, to realize the strategic concepts of "New Beijing, Great Olympics" and to leave a unique legacy for China and world sports.

Three concepts have been adopted for the Beijing Olympic Games, namely, the Green Olympics, the High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics. And now various kinds of preparation go smoothly according to plans.

Olympic venues such as the National Stadium (Bird's nest) and the National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube) and their attached facilities have been finished. There will be 37 competition venues and 56 training venues plunged into use this time.

The organization of competition deepens constantly. There will be 28 medal sports in the 29th Olympic Games. Everyday and every unit's calendar have been made certain. We successfully hosted 27 international competition under the name of " Good Luck Beijing".

The rehearsal of the opening and closing ceremonies goes smoothly. The design combines the Chinese tradition and modern factors with hi-tech. Olympic Torch Relay outside China has finished. And the Olympic flame made its first trip to Mount Qomolangma as Chinese mountaineers brought it to the top of the world May 8.

Likewise, "One-stop service" for foreign media was launched and news coverage guidance has been compiled. During the Games in August 2008, Beijing is expected to have some 21,600 accredited journalists, including 16,000 broadcasters and 5,600 writers and photographers, in addition to 10,000 non-accredited journalists.

Besides news stories, they will also file commentary reports. In a sense, their news coverage will reflect the views of society. To treat the press kindly means to treat the public kindly. We will try our best to provide better service to the media.

The Olympic Games is more than just a sporting event, it is an opportunity for countries around the world to gather to celebrate in the Olympic Movement.

Athletes and spectators will be moved by the "faster, higher, and stronger" spirit that come with competition, but will also be inspired by the peace, friendship, and unity of culture that will be a part of the Beijing Olympic Games. China has a long, proud history with a rich cultural heritage.

The Chinese people are warm, hospitable and eager to share their country with the rest of this world. I believe, although China is suffering the earthquake, Chinese government and people will overcome any difficulties, to host a unique and successful Olympic Games.