Your Excellency Ambassador Tuvako Manongi,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honored to attend today's event to commemorate a great African and a close friend of China. I thank you, Ambassador Manongi, for your kind invitation, which testifies the dynamism of traditional China-Africa friendship and cooperation.

Mwalimu Nyerere is a household name in Africa. As the title of the book to be launched today aptly puts it, President Nyerere was Africa's titan on the global stage. He was a revered African statesman, a firm pan-Africanist and a great pioneer of the national liberation movements in Africa. With his dedication and unflagging efforts, the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union, came into being, effectively changing the global political landscape. Under his superb leadership, Tanzania gained national independence and scored remarkable achievements in socio-economic development. With his all-out support and help, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and other countries in Southeastern Africa got rid of the shackles of colonial rule. These were important landmarks in the rise of Africa.

President Nyerere was also a great friend of the Chinese people. He and the Chinese leaders at the time sowed the seeds of traditional friendship between China and Tanzania and fostered its growth．In his lifetime, he paid 13 visits to China and made outstanding contribution to the development of China's relations with Tanzania and with Africa on the whole. During his presidency, China, Tanzania and other African countries worked closely together and built the TAZARA, the railway between Tanzania and Zambia, a timeless symbol of China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation.

It has been 14 years since President Nyerere left us, but his devotion to the national liberation movements in Africa, his ideals of pan-Africanism and his integrity and virtues are remembered as a precious legacy. This legacy will continue to help African countries strengthen unity and make new and greater achievement in stability, development and prosperity through collective efforts.

Thank you.