In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, Philip S. Marmo, the Tanzania Ambassador to China, discussed the election of new Chinese President Xi Jinping and what it means for political, economic and social relations between the two countries.

On March 22th, President Xi Jinping will begin a visit to Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and the Congo, and President Xi chose Tanzania as his first stopover after leaving Russia on his way to a BRICS summit meeting in South Africa.

"President Xi Jinping's visit is very important," said Philip S. Marmo, Tanzania's Ambassador to China.

The Ambassador believes that China and Tanzania have long engaged in win-win economic and social development, which will be further consolidated by Xi Jinping's visit.

Tanzania is short on capital, skills and technological resources to exploit its wealth, and China is able to provide these. On the other hand, Tanzania has rich natural gas reserves which China needs to fuel its economic growth, said the Ambassador.

According to the Ambassador, Tanzania has transformed into a market oriented economy, and provides a unique business environment that allows enterprises to grow without restrictive government involvement and influence. And with the country's rich natural gas reserves, Tanzania can attract China and other nations to invest in the country, reducing poverty and supporting the African nation's growing middle class.

Regarding Chinese businesses who are investing in Tanzania, the Ambassador pointed out that Tanzania sees China as a role model of development and a true friend. It has supported Tanzania in many projects that have lifted Tanzanians from poverty, diseases and hunger.

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