From Mao to Samia: How China and Tanzania keep the friendship, peace

DAR ES SALAAM: IMAGINE a party where two very different guests and that is China’s colossal People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Tanzania’s proud People’s Defence Force (TPDF) coming together to celebrate nearly a century of one heck of a friendship.

On the occasion of the PLA’s 98th birthday celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, Tanzania’s TPDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Salum Haji Othman, did not just send a card, he showed up, hat in hand, praising the deep-rooted ties and promising to keep the bromance alive for many years to come.

“It’s an honour,” Lt General Othman said with military polish, “to take part in the 98th anniversary of the PLA’s founding.” He didn’t stop there, he also thanked the Chinese government and embassy for being steadfast friends, partners and supporters. Because let us face it, when your ally’s been around since 1927 and has evolved into one of the most advanced militaries on the planet, you want to say thank you properly.

The PLA is no ordinary party animal. Since its establishment in 1927 by the Communist Party of China, it has grown from a ragtag revolutionary force into a modern powerhouse that is not just flexing muscles at home, but also playing peacemaker abroad.

From peacekeeping missions in Africa to maritime escorts and humanitarian aid, the PLA wears many hats. And the TPDF knows this all too well. Lt General Othman pointed out how this friendship is not just lip service, it is a partnership built on practical support like military training, medical aid, infrastructure projects and technology transfer.

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Thanks to the PLA, the TPDF has been levelling up in professional capacity, keeping Tanzania’s defence sharp and ready. “Our friendship is not just for show,” said the General. “We are committed to deepening cooperation through joint training, exchange programmes and shared missions. This friendship will continue to grow stronger like fine wine or, better yet, a well-aged machete.” Hosting the festivity, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, gave a speech that was part history lesson, part pep talk and part invitation to keep this party going strong.

She reminded everyone that the PLA was born out of China’s revolutionary spirit in 1927 and over the past 98 years, it has helped the nation gain independence, prosperity and military muscle. And now, as the PLA marches toward its centenary in 2027, it is doubling down on modernisation: turbocharging troop training, developing new tech warfare skills and becoming a world-class force in intelligent combat.

But Ambassador also reminded the crowd that the PLA’s power is not just about hardware and muscle. It is about heart. From peacekeeping missions worldwide to humanitarian aid, the PLA is proving it can punch hard and play nice on the global stage.

A friendship written in history and steel

The Ambassador took a moment to highlight the long-standing friendship between Tanzania and China as a relationship forged by giants like Chairman Mao Zedong and Tanzania’s founding father, President Julius Nyerere.

From the early days of national liberation struggles to today’s modernisation efforts, the two countries have stood shoulder to shoulder through thick and thin.

This year marks 61 years of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania. And over those decades, the partnership has blossomed into one of the most robust in Africa. China is Tanzania’s largest trading partner and top investor.

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Chinese companies have built major infrastructure projects like the Standard Gauge Railway and the newly inaugurated Magufuli Bridge and that is a project so impressive it might just get a statue of its own.

But the bond goes beyond politics and trade. Cultural exchanges have flourished, with Confucius Institutes in Tanzanian universities, Chinese language classes popping up in schools, and even Kiswahili courses offered in Chinese universities. Last year, over 70,000 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania and imagine all the selfies with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background!

Military camaraderie that’s more than salutes

The military connection is as solid as ever. For over six decades, the Chinese PLA and Tanzania’s TPDF have enjoyed a close, sometimes jovial, relationship. Joint exercises like Amani Umoja 2024 have brought troops together in the largest drills to date.

China’s Navy hospital ship Ark Peace visited Tanzania three times as the first African country to earn that honour. That is like being invited to the coolest military sleepovers. Just last year, Tanzania’s Defence Minister, Dr Stergomena Tax, visited China, signalling the ongoing commitment to strengthen ties.

China has pledged to continue supporting TPDF’s modernisation, helping Tanzania build a security cooperation model that others on the continent might want to copy.

As the PLA approaches its 100th anniversary, both sides are clear-eyed about the road ahead. China plans to keep speeding up military modernisation, defending its sovereignty and playing a role in global peacekeeping.

Tanzania, for its part, is poised to benefit from this continued support while maintaining its firm commitment to principles like the One-China policy.

This year also marks the 61st anniversary of the TPDF as a time to celebrate its achievements and look forward to more progress. Meanwhile, the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression reminds everyone of the price of peace and the value of standing united against aggression.

Lessons from history and hopes for peace

Both China and Tanzania share a deep appreciation that peace is fragile and precious. The world may be unpredictable, but history teaches that cooperation, mutual respect and dialogue are the best tools to maintain it. The Ambassador’s closing words were a call for global solidarity: countries must work together to uphold international laws and principles, promote win-win cooperation and create a shared future for humanity. In other words: teamwork makes the dream work even in geopolitics.

Why should Tanzanians care?

Because this friendship is not just about fancy military drills or diplomatic speeches. It is about the tangible benefits flowing back home namely jobs, infrastructure, skills and a place for Tanzania on the global stage.

The PLA’s support in military training, medical services and infrastructure helps Tanzania safeguard its sovereignty and contribute to regional peace. The cultural and economic ties boost tourism, education and trade, making Tanzania more prosperous and connected.

For the average Tanzanian, it means a stronger nation with better opportunities. And for the young generation, it means learning from the best, opening doors to new skills and embracing a future where Tanzania stands tall, not just as an African giant, but as a partner in global progress.

So, here is to the PLA at 98, still strong, still evolving and still a friend to Tanzania. And here is to Tanzania’s TPDF, proudly standing side-by-side with its Chinese counterpart in a friendship that is more than just history, it is a living, breathing partnership for peace, prosperity and progress.

Raise your glasses (or your military hats) because this is one party and partnership that is built to last.