By Our Correspondent
The government has announced plans to upgrade the TAZARA railway as part of continued cooperation between Tanzania, Zambia and China, a partnership established by founding leaders including Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Kenneth David Kaunda and Mao Zedong.
Speaking during a memorial event for 65 Chinese experts who died while working on the construction of the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reached an agreement with China to modernise the railway.
The railway line, built between 1970 and 1975, is considered one of the most important symbols of cooperation between the three countries.
Katambi made the remarks at a memorial ceremony held at the Chinese experts’ cemetery in Gongolamboto, Dar es Salaam. He said the economic, political, technological and cultural cooperation initiated by the founding leaders continues to grow under President Samia’s leadership.
He noted that Tanzanians have witnessed the implementation of several development projects constructed or supervised by Chinese experts in recent years.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation responsible for East African Affairs, James Millya, said Tanzania appreciates the strong relationship it shares with China.
He said Tanzania continues to honour China’s support, noting that Chinese experts assisted the country at a time when China itself was still developing, and that the cooperation involved not only financial resources but also the sacrifice of lives.
China’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, said the Chinese government remains committed to strengthening the historic partnership established by the founding leaders of China, Tanzania and Zambia.
She added that China continues to participate in a number of development projects in Tanzania as part of the long-standing cooperation between the countries.
