Gervas Kasiga, executive secretary of the Tanzania Film Board, speaks at the "Nihao! China" Winter Inbound Tourism Promotion and Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, June 18, 2026. Kasiga on Thursday called for deeper cooperation between Tanzania and China in the fields of film, culture and tourism to further strengthen people-to-people ties. (Xinhua/Nurdin Pallangyo)
DAR ES SALAAM, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania Film Board Executive Secretary Gervas Kasiga on Thursday called for deeper cooperation between Tanzania and China in the fields of film, culture and tourism to further strengthen people-to-people ties.
Speaking at the "Nihao! China" Winter Inbound Tourism Promotion and Dragon Boat Festival celebration at the China Cultural Center in Dar es Salaam, Kasiga said cultural exchanges are essential to fostering mutual understanding and supporting sustainable development.
Kasiga commended the Chinese government for its continued support in capacity building, including professional training and scholarship opportunities for Tanzanian filmmakers, saying such initiatives contribute significantly to skills development and the growth of the creative industry.
He added that Tanzania is keen to expand collaboration with China in film production, talent development and tourism promotion, leveraging its natural attractions to draw more Chinese tourists while strengthening longstanding bilateral relations.
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said the event highlighted the importance of cultural and tourism cooperation in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.
She noted that the Dragon Boat Festival, with a history of more than 2,000 years, reflects the enduring values of Chinese civilization, including patriotism, unity and perseverance.
With a rapidly growing number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania in recent years, Chen said about 83,000 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania last year, marking a 15 percent increase from the previous year and making China the sixth-largest source of tourists to the country.
She added that China remains committed to expanding cultural exchanges and promoting tourism cooperation with Tanzania, especially as 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. ■
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian speaks at the "Nihao! China" Winter Inbound Tourism Promotion and Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, June 18, 2026. Tanzania Film Board Executive Secretary Gervas Kasiga on Thursday called for deeper cooperation between Tanzania and China in the fields of film, culture and tourism to further strengthen people-to-people ties. (Xinhua/Lin Guangyao)
Tanzania Film Board Executive Secretary Gervas Kasiga (2nd L) and Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian (2nd R) try their hands making zongzi, a traditional Chinese sticky rice dumpling, during the "Nihao! China" Winter Inbound Tourism Promotion and Dragon Boat Festival celebration at the China Cultural Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, June 18, 2026. Kasiga on Thursday called for deeper cooperation between Tanzania and China in the fields of film, culture and tourism to further strengthen people-to-people ties. (Xinhua/Lin Guangyao)
This photo taken on June 18, 2026 shows a scene of the "Nihao! China" Winter Inbound Tourism Promotion and Dragon Boat Festival celebration at the China Cultural Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tanzania Film Board Executive Secretary Gervas Kasiga on Thursday called for deeper cooperation between Tanzania and China in the fields of film, culture and tourism to further strengthen people-to-people ties. (Xinhua/Lin Guangyao)