At his meeting with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Hu called for reforms in the global financial system to ensure that developing countries, including those in Africa, get better representation and more scope to make their voices heard.

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Dar es Salam-based newspaper The Citizen has reported that the global economic downturn is hurting the sisal processing and exports sector.

Tanzania is taking steps to overcome the difficulties and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to counter the crisis, Kikwete said.

Hu reached Dar es Salaam late on Saturday night, becoming the first Chinese president to visit Tanzania. The official welcoming ceremony, held in the city square, featured an elite ceremonial military procession, during which the band played the Chinese and Tanzanian national anthems.

Hu and Kikwete reviewed 45 years of friendship that had proceeded smoothly and withstood the changes of time. Sino-Tanzanian ties are a model for genuine mutual trust, unity and cooperation for China and other developing countries, Hu said.

He reiterated China's stance of not reducing its aid to African countries, and proposed to increase political exchanges further to boost mutual political trust and deepen cooperation in trade, culture, education and public health.

To fulfill the commitment made during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing, China will share with Tanzania its experience in building economic development zones and keep encouraging Chinese firms to invest in the country.

Hu said China would invite young Tanzanian students and offer more fellowships to them to study in China.

Tanzania is the fourth stop of Hu's five-nation tour, which has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Mali and Senegal. He will travel to Mauritius on Monday.