BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Beijing on Thursday. The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Tanzania relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Noting Hassan is the first African head of state China received after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi said this fully shows the closeness of China-Tanzania relations and the important status of China-Africa ties in China's overall diplomacy.

Under the new circumstances, the sound development of China-Tanzania relations not only serves the common and long-term interests of the two countries, but also is of great significance to the promotion of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China always views ties with Tanzania from a strategic height, and is always a trustworthy friend of Tanzania. The two countries should promote cooperation in various fields under the guidance of the China-Tanzania comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he added.

China is ready to continue expanding import of specialty products from Tanzania, supporting Chinese enterprises to invest there, and providing assistance to Tanzania's economic and social development as its capacity allows, Xi said.

The development of China-Africa relations should stick to the direction of mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual learning and mutual assistance, Xi said, adding the two sides should carry forward the fine tradition and enhance the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.

Hassan expressed Tanzania's willingness to stand as a forever trustworthy partner of China, and to work with China to enhance pragmatic cooperation and bring bilateral ties to a new height.

The two sides agreed to expand bilateral trade volume, further deepen high-quality cooperation under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance cooperation in processing and manufacturing, green development, and digital economy, among others.