DAR ES SALAAM, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania has reaffirmed the importance of its long-standing defense partnership with China, saying the cooperation has strengthened its national security capabilities through military training, technology transfer and capacity building.
Speaking at a reception marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania on Tuesday, Tanzanian Minister of Defense and National Service Rhimo Nyansaho said the partnership has become a cornerstone of bilateral relations.
"We value this cooperation because it strengthens our defense and security while reinforcing the longstanding friendship between our two countries," he said, noting that rising global security challenges, including armed conflicts, disease outbreaks and other emerging risks, call for stronger international cooperation.
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said that during the past 99 years, the PLA fought its way through battles and wars and made huge sacrifices to achieve one victory after another.
The enduring Tanzania-China friendship, built by the two countries' founding leaders, continues to provide a solid foundation for strategic cooperation, she said. ■