BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a speech in Dar es Salaam during his state visit to Tanzania to enhance friendship and cooperation between China and Africa.

The Tanzania visit is Xi Jinping’s first to the African continent since he became China’s President earlier this month. The trip demonstrates China’s commitment to growing its relations with African countries.

Xi Jinping said his visit is aimed at consolidating the traditional friendship with Africa, charting the course for future cooperation and promoting common development. He said great achievements have been made over past years and he is confident that the trip will inject new vigor into the development of the friendly relations and cooperation.

Xi Jinping said, "In 2012, bilateral trade grew to nearly 200 billion US dollars between China and Africa. People-to-people exchanges reached over 1.5 million. China’s direct investment to Africa has reached 15 billion US dollars. In the past 50 years, China sent 18 thousand medical personnel to Africa. 250 million African people have been medically treated. People in Africa have also provided great support and selfless help to the Chinese people. "

(Source: CNTV.cn)