China and Tanzania have pledged to collaborate more on their cultural heritage, a move that will strengthen bilateral relations and benefit their peoples.

At the just-concluded Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Week at the Chinese Cultural Center in Tanzania, the two countries agreed to complement each other in aspects of social and economic development.

The event showcased cultural activities including Chinese painting and calligraphy, martial arts, Chinese language training and cooking workshops.

According to Lu Youqing, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, the bilateral relations have enabled more interaction among people of the two countries through sharing skills and experiences and taking advantage of available opportunities.

"Citizens of the two countries have been sharing knowledge in sectors of education and economy through training, exchange programs and so on. The result of this has been beneficial to both sides," Lu said at the opening of the cultural week.

Lilly Beleko, deputy director of the development and culture department of Tanzania's Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, said the country has benefited from scholarship programs that send up to 200 Tanzanians each year to acquire higher education in China.

"The scholarships have enabled them to learn Chinese culture, technologies and skills, which have been applied in different fields of development in the country as they return home," she said.

Beleko said the aim for the Tanzania-China relationship is to create communities that respect other societies' cultures, enabling them to live together peacefully and interact for economic development.

The Tanzanian Chinese Cultural Center is the first such center in East Africa and was launched in December 2015. Its establishment signals a new phase for enhanced cooperation and closer ties between the two countries.

The cultural center was set up to enable China to collaborate with local civic societies and organizations, providing a better understanding of the local market.

Other Chinese Cultural Centers in Africa have been set up in Mauritius, Benin, Egypt and Nigeria.

By marketing cultural products such as Chinese New Year celebrations involving performers and artists from China, the cultural centers have increased the social impact of Chinese culture around the world.

The cultural centers seek to shape overseas attitudes about China through working with government and nongovernment organizations.

China has been on the front line of support for implementing Tanzania's development strategy.

"The sectors that are the major focus of Chinese investment are industry, energy, infrastructure, finance, agriculture, education and IT," says Adelhelm Meru, permanent secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. With the introduction of cultural exchanges, the two countries stand to benefit from each other culturally as well as economically, Meru adds.

For China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/04/2017 page3)