Tanzanian president praises 'no conditions' Chinese aid policy

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Tanzanian President John Magufuli said on Tuesday he prefers aid from China, as Beijing imposes fewer conditions.

"The thing that makes you happy about their aid is that it is not tied to any conditions. When they decide to give you (assistance), they just give you," Magufuli said, according to a statement posted on State House's website.

The president delivered the comments at the launch of a new library at the University of Dar es Salaam built at a cost of 93.6 billion Tanzanian shillings (40.61 million U.S. dollars) with the help of the Chinese government, the president's office said.

"Many thanks to China and many thanks to the people of China," said Magufuli.

The president urged Tanzanians to learn Chinese, explaining that with increasing investments by Chinese firms and an anticipated increased number of Chinese tourists, the future looks bright.

Wang Ke, Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said the library will help accelerate reforms and transformations pioneered by Magufuli.

"Apart from funding the construction of the library, the Chinese government has also provided free information and communication technology, maintenance system and furniture," said Wang.

The Chinese envoy said the 54 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries were special, adding: "We have every reason to maintain and strengthen this relationship."

Joyce Ndalichako, Tanzania's minister of education, science, technology, and vocational training, said the library will enable university students from across the country to widen their knowledge and skills for the welfare of the country.

The library complex covers an area of 4.7 hectares with a floor area of 20,000 square meters. It consists of a library, a Confucius Institute, and a Sino-Tanzania Cultural Exchange park.

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Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency