Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with United Republic of Tanzania Foreign Minister Liberat Salim Kumba and journalists in Dar es Salaam. During the meeting, Wang Yi told the story of the Tanzanian-Zambia railway and stressed the importance of Sino-African friendship.
Wang Yi recalled that in the 1960s, to support the development of Tanzania and Zambia, which were then gradually gaining national independence, China - although not rich itself - sent large numbers of engineers and technical experts. They travelled vast distances and overcame countless difficulties to build the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), which served the African people.
China was willing to help Tanzania because the two countries share similar historical experiences and common ideals. „We are brothers, comrades, partners and friends,“ Wang Yi said. „We must join hands and rely on our own strengths to achieve the development of our countries and enable people to lead better lives.“
Wang Yi further stressed that today we need to join efforts to revive the Tanzanian-Zambia Railway so that it can play an even more important role. It should become a new engine for Tanzania's development, give the country a boost to economic growth and bring concrete, tangible benefits to the local population. Sectors such as agriculture, industry and mineral extraction should be developed along the railway to create a thriving railway belt and economic development corridor.
Wang Yi also recalled that in China, the story of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is well-known and the idea of Sino-African friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. „Back then China and Tanzania were building railways together, today they should walk the path of modernisation together,“ He said.
The Chinese side is ready to work with Tanzania to commemorate the achievements of previous generations, develop traditional friendship and jointly create a new monument to Sino-African friendship.
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