Uphold patriotism, media told

SUNDAY NEWS Reporter

ASANTENI SANA … the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing displays a traditional giraffe carving that was presented to him by the former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Association of promoting Tanzania-China relations, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim (second right), during his farewell function in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Second left is the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe and right is Ambassador Job Lusinde. (Photo by Iddy Mwema)

OUTGOING Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing has called upon media fraternity to embrace patriotism, including helping the government to achieve its development agenda.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday during a farewell event, Ambassador Lu said media had a great role to play in the country’s development agenda, insisting that practitioners must put ahead Tanzania’s interests.

Mr Lu, who has served as Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania for over six years, said, “Sometimes media is considered to be the fourth or fifth pillar of State. You must always remember that you are Tanzanians in whatever you are doing.”

He said the media was duty bound to portray the country’s positive image to the outside world, including showing opportunities.“Patriotism and responsible journalism must be upheld,” he insisted.

But, Mr Lu also expressed gratitude to the media industry in the country for its performance, saying it has set a basis for the government to gain mileage in its industrialisation drive that would be achieved soon. He said media has made Tanzania to be admired in and outside its boundaries and should be emulated by other countries.

Speaking about peace and harmony in the country, Ambassador Lu said during his six-year stay in the country, he has learnt a lot about Tanzania and its over 120 tribes living cohesively that he will miss once he leaves the country.

“I have been reading your professional news and editorial articles every day. You have opened a window for me and the Chinese people in Tanzania, to learn about national strategy and your people’s livelihood.

“It’s because of your dedication that the good stories of Tanzanian-China cooperation could reach millions of Tanzanian people and friendship between our two countries could blossom everywhere,” he stressed.

Without elaborating further, he said according to African Barometer, an authoritative survey conducted by an African research organisation, China is enjoying a massive popularity among Tanzanians as a result of the press.

Wishing Tanzania success in its strategy to become industrialised, he said the cooperation between the two countries should be tapped professionally to produce a pool of skilled personnel who will work in the factories and raise the economy of the country.

“In China, no matter how poor a family is, one must not let one’s child to feel the pinch of poverty while taking the child to school, hence, I urge you to invest a lot in education to produce educated people for your industries,” he further said.

The Ambassador equally urged the international community to support Tanzania in its education sector, so as to have a pool of skilled personnel and make the country reach the heights of China in 20 years to come.

Bidding Dr Lu farewell, the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, said the Ambassador during his tenure was a true friend of Tanzania, who ought to be thanked for doing a lot to the country.

He said in March, 2017, the Ambassador unconditionally improved Tanzania-China bilateral cooperation in Johannesburg together with other leaders where a Comprehensive Strategy Partnership was signed to implement practical cooperation between China and Africa in ten major fields ranging from industrialisation, agriculture modernisation, infrastructure and poverty alleviation that should not be forgotten.

He said as a ‘patriotic Tanzanian’ the Ambassador has made sure that China becomes the largest taking partner and second largest investment source in the country. He said total Chinese Investment to Tanzania has reached 7bn US dollars, with more than 800 joint-ventures and sole investment companies operating in Tanzania as a result of his friendship with Tanzania. “Every year, over 700 Tanzanian students go to China for further education.

The outcome of China-Tanzania cooperation is benefiting all fields of the economy and social development and every aspect to our citizens’ livelihood,” he pointed out. On his side, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim described Chinese interest in Tanzania led by the Ambassador as an all-weather season friend no matter the challenges and good times cropping in. He said Dr Lu would be remembered as a blood brother of Tanzanians not just at the cooperation side, but also in other areas.

Ambassador Job Lusinde, who also attended the occasion, praised the Ambassador for cementing the cooperation of the two countries that dates back to the days of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

While bidding farewell to the Ambassador, the Secretary-General of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, Dr Joseph Kahama, said he was extolled by fresh energy in the private sector that Dr Lu has brought.