Your Excellency Ambassador Liu Xinsheng,

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China;

Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners;

Distinguished Invited Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania and indeed on my own behalf, I feel greatly honoured to be invited as guest of honour on this auspicious occasion to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Your Excellency,

As we join you in celebrating this historic day, allow me, Your Excellency, to take this opportunity to express my government's satisfaction at the excellent all-weather genuine friendship that happily exists between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanzanians cherish these relations and shall continue in our endeavors to consolidate and further promote them for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples.

Your Excellencies;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The friendship and fraternity between the United Republic of Tanzania and the PRC has thrived and grown to higher levels of strength since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago. Both countries have enjoyed mutual support at the international arena, ranging from the liberation struggle in Africa to the restoration of China's status and rights at the United Nations, especially its permanent membership to the Security Council. Icons of Chinese economic support to Tanzania are everywhere to be seen. Notable examples are the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, the Friendship (Urafiki) Textile Factory, the Housing Schemes in Zanzibar and the most recent New National Stadium.

Your Excellency,

The choice of Dar es Salaam to be the only African city to host the African leg of the Olympic Torch Relay last year is yet another testimony of the cordial and fraternal bilateral relations existing between our two countries. Indeed the friendship with started with the founding fathers of these nations; Chairman Mao Zedong and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and carried forward by all the subsequent generations of leadership. Your Excellency, the pr4ofundity of the two countries' excellent bilateral relations was witnessed again with the state visit to China by H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete from 10th to 15th April 2008 when he attended and addressed the 2008 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference followed by the state visit to Tanzania from 14th to 16th February 2009 by H.E. President Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, the first of its kind to be made by a Chinese President. We were honoured and delighted by this fruitful visit and look forward to more exchange visits in the future.

Your Excellency,

China has generously supported our development endeavours since the establishment of our diplomatic relations; let me therefore take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your country's continued invaluable support in the form of grants and soft loans which has enabled us to undertake socio-economic development projects for the wellbeing of our people. Let me also take this opportunity to commend the Chinese leadership on the achievements China has made in the 30 years of reform and opening up policy. China's growing influence on the international stage has revived hopes for survival among developing countries which have continued to enjoy China's unwavering support.

Your Excellency,

I also wish at this juncture, to salute China for the successful and memorable 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the Shenzhou 7 Space Mission which are among the fruits of its economic breakthrough. I also wish China all successes in the preparations for the World Expo 2010 Shanghai. This is going to yet another big international event that will bring the whole world to China.

Your Excellency,

Allow me once again on behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania to reiterate our commitment to further strengthen the bonds of traditional friendship and cooperation between our two countries and peoples for mutual benefit.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With these few remarks, may I now request all of you present here tonight to rise and join me in a toast:

l To the continued good health of our two leaders, H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and H.E. President Hu Jintao;

l To the continued prosperity of the people of China and Tanzania; and

l To the continued friendship and cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania.

GAN BEI (CHEERS)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.