China's top diplomat on Saturday warned against foreign interference in Tanzania at the end of a visit to the East African country.

Wang Yi is the first foreign minister to pay an official visit to Tanzania since post-election election protests late last year.

China, which has invested heavily in Tanzania in recent years, did not comment on the protests.

In a statement shared after the visit, Tanzanian authorities said Wang had congratulated the country for the "successful conduct" of the elections.

"China reiterated its full confidence in Tanzania's leadership and institutions to manage internal affairs independently," they added.

Tanzania’s sovereignty

Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said Beijing "opposes any external force interfering in Tanzania's internal affairs" and stressed its support for the country's "national sovereignty and security".

After Tanzania, Wang is expected to continue his tour of African countries in Lesotho, where US tariffs have strained relations with Washington.

On Friday, Wang skipped what would have been a historic visit to Somalia - the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the state collapsed in 1991.

It had been planned at a high-profile moment just after Israel recognised the breakaway region of Somaliland.