Makamba invites Chinese tourists to help boost Africa’s economies
Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister January Makamba and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Speaking to journalists in Beijing at the weekend, Mr Makamba cited pre-Covid-19 pandemic data showing only about one million Chinese tourists visited Africa out of 180 million who travelled abroad in 2019.
Beijing. The minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, has urged Chinese tourists to explore Africa, highlighting its potential to benefit the continent’s economies and strengthen people-to-people connections.
Speaking to journalists in Beijing at the weekend, Mr Makamba cited pre-Covid-19 pandemic data showing only about one million Chinese tourists visited Africa out of 180 million who travelled abroad in 2019.
“Imagine if even 10 percent of those tourists came to Africa—that’s 18 million people!” he exclaimed. He added that half of Chinese tourists visited just four African countries.
Giving examples of tourist attractions available in Tanzania, the minister said the country offers amazing beaches, the tallest mountain in Africa, the beautiful island of Zanzibar, and national parks that have a stunning collection of wildlife.
He said that following the sacrifices made by the founding fathers of the founding fathers of China and Tanzania to cement the relationship that has weathered storms for the last sixty years, it is now the turn of the people to visit and get to know each other through tourism.
Mr Makamba is in China for an official visit, following the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
The visit coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Speaking with the media, Mr Makamba said the new phase of the relationship between the two countries should focus on fighting poverty, creating a fair and just world order, and creating a world where all people feel safe and secure.
During his stay in China, Makamba is also expected to visit Shenzhen and Hong Kong, where he will meet and woo investors to come and invest in his country.
His official visit ends today in Hong Kong.
