Media cooperation between Tanzania and China is expanding and the Chinese media have given wider coverage of Tanzania and the African continent as a whole, Tanzanian media experts and scholars said on Thursday.

On the sidelines of a symposium on election reporting, Bernadeta Killian, dean of School of Journalism and Mass Communication of University of Dar es Salaam, told Xinhua that her school has been cooperating with Chinese media organizations for five years.

"The cooperation between the media of the two countries is expanding," she said.

Killian also hailed the relationship between Tanzania and China, calling China a friend and development partner of Tanzania.

"China has achieved great economic and science development in the past years," she said, adding that she expected the Chinese media to raise their voices to promote China's status abroad.

P. Kabudi, dean of Law School of University of Dar es Salaam, said that the Chinese media including Xinhua have given heavier coverage to Tanzania and other African countries than before.

"The Chinese reports on Africa are objective, concerning the continent's agriculture, infrastructure and energy sectors," said Kabudi.

Describing China and Africa as traditional friends, he noted that China, now much stronger economically, has increased its investment in Tanzania and other African countries to help boost their development.

He also stressed the importance of constructive dialogue to promote mutual understanding and reach consensus, an important factor to find a holistic approach.

The one-day symposium, sponsored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, has drawn some 70 members participants from the media, political parties, civil society, government institutions and donors among others.

The main topic of the symposium is media's responsible role in Tanzania's 2010 general elections via fair and balanced reporting of the event.

Source:Xinhua