Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete here Sunday for talks on further cooperation between China and the East African country.

The talks started hours after Xi arrived here for a state visit.

Xi and Kikwete are also expected to exchange views on cooperation between China and Africa, and their common development in the new era.

The two leaders will witness after their talks the signing of cooperation deals by representatives of the two countries.

Over the past 49 years since China and Tanzania established diplomatic ties, the two countries have had close high-level contacts, enhanced political mutual trust and expanded practical cooperation in a wide range of areas.

The Tanzania visit by Xi, his first to the African continent since he became China's president earlier this month, fully demonstrates China's commitment to growing its relations with African countries.

"No matter how international landscape may change, China will continue to support and promote Africa's efforts to achieve peace, stability, prosperity and development, seek strength through unity and participate in international affairs on the basis of equality, " Xi said Tuesday in a joint interview with reporters from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or BRICS.

Tanzania is the second leg of Xi's maiden foreign trip as the Chinese president, following Russia.

After his Tanzania visit, Xi will travel to South Africa and the Republic of Congo.

In South Africa, Xi will attend the fifth BRICS summit in the city of Durban on March 26-27, the first to be held on the African continent.

Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, collectively known under their acronym BRICS, will also have a retreat with African leaders.