China is willing to enhance cooperation and coordination with Tanzania to push forward bilateral relations, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing Tuesday.

Li made the remark while meeting with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya M. Kikwete, who is in Beijing accompanying Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa to visit China.

The two countries have carried out fruitful cooperation in the political, economic and trade, military, social and cultural sectors and become all-weather friends since they forged diplomatic ties, Li said. "China appreciates Tanzania for its adherence to the one-China policy," Li added.

Kikwete thanked China for its long-term assistance to Tanzania's economic construction, saying that the Tanzanian government regards China as its best and most reliable friend and will continue to stick to the one-China policy.

Tanzania is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in trade and economy, national defense, medicine, tourism and the development of personnel resources, Kikwete said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2004)