DAR ES SALAAM: THE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Dennis Londo, said on Friday that Tanzania and China are committed to enhancing their development cooperation.
Speaking following a high-level visit from both countries, aiming to strengthen the historical and diplomatic ties Mr. Londo told the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, Prof. Hao Ping in Dar es Salaam “Beijing and Dar will continue enhancing diplomatic ties.”
He highlighted that Tanzania greatly values its strong cooperation with China, particularly as both countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Mr. Londo also congratulated China for hosting the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing. He noted that during the summit, significant agreements were made, including the revival of the TAZARA Railway, a key infrastructure project from the era of Tanganyika’s independence.
Mr. Londo described the revival of the TAZARA Railway, which connects Tanzania and Zambia, as a crucial step for the economic and social development of both countries and the broader Southern African region.
The railway is vital for transporting goods to and from the port of Dar es Salaam. He emphasized that this project represents a milestone in Tanzania-China cooperation and has left a lasting impact on both nations, continuing to benefit future generations through its economic contributions.
Mr. Londo expressed confidence that the visit of the Chinese delegation would further open opportunities for parliamentary cooperation between the two nations. He also thanked China for offering both long-term and short-term scholarship opportunities to Tanzanians, fostering deeper people-to-people ties.
Prof. Ping highlighted the strong commitment of the two countries’ top leaders, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Xi Jinping of China, to advancing their historic partnership. He noted that cooperation across social, economic, and political spheres would continue to grow, ensuring the implementation of agreements made during the FOCAC summit for the benefit of both nations.
Prof. Ping also mentioned that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China had introduced strategic reforms to further strengthen cooperation between China, Tanzania, and Africa, leading to greater success in their friendship and the achievement of development goals.
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The leaders pledged to continue supporting each other’s national policies and agendas in regional and international forums, fostering cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism.
The Chinese delegation is visiting Tanzania for three days and is scheduled to meet with the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Mussa Azzan Zungu, and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Security, Hon. Vita Kawawa.
