Minister of Defense Cao Gangchuan said in Beijing Wednesday that China is ready to join hands with Tanzania to bring the all-weather friendly bilateral relations to a new high.

Cao, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, made the remarks at his meeting with Commander of the Tanzanian People's Defense Forces George Waitara.

Cao said the people of the two countries have enjoyed traditional friendship and bilateral cooperative relationship serves as a fine example for developing countries to handle their relations.

Cao expressed China's thanks and appreciations for the support from Tanzania on issues concerning Taiwan and human rights.

Waitara called China the true friend of Tanzania.

He thanked China for the governmental and military assistance it rendered to Tanzania since the 1960s.

He underlined that the two sides, in particular the young people of both countries, should carry the bilateral friendship into the future.

Waitara held discussions with Liang Guanglie, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army before his meeting with Cao.

As guest of Liang, Waitara started his China visit on September 24.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2005)