Tanzania's foreign minister highlights strong ties with China

Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs, January Yusuf Makamba, praised the robust and evolving partnership between Tanzania and China during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), reflecting on the historical principles guiding China-Africa relations and outlining key cooperative projects.

Tanzania was the first African country that Chinese President Xi Jinping visited after assuming the presidency in 2013.

During that visit, President Xi introduced the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith for China's Africa policy. These principles have since become the foundation of China's cooperation with developing countries.

Makamba emphasized the significance of these principles in the interview on Sunday, the day before he wrapped up a five-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He praised these principles for their depth and relevance to Africa's historical context.

"These principles are very key, because we in Africa are very sensitive to partnerships. Because of our history, we have a glorious history as a continent, but also we have a history of being colonized and being exploited. The principles that President Xi elaborated in Dar es Salaam in 2013, that underpin the relation between China and Africa, are very good because they take into consideration our history. So, over the past 10 years, since these principles were established, we've seen the transformation of China-Africa relations in a positive way," said Makamba.

Makamba also highlighted the tangible benefits of China's projects in Africa.

"The projects that China wants to do in Africa are beneficial to us. The interaction between China, and the engagement between China and Africa, is one that is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit as well. So the Dar es Salaam Consensus comes up with a new blueprint for global order; the international order that is based on openness, transparency, mutual respect, equity, fairness. These are the things that we've always wanted, and we hope that all Africans, together with China and other international partners, will coalesce around the Dar es Salaam Consensus as a new way to organize the global community," he added.

Reflecting on specific cooperative ventures, Makamba spoke about the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority, popularly known as TAZARA, a bi-national railway linking the Southern Africa Regional transport network to Eastern Africa's seaport of Dar es Salaam, offering both freight and passenger transportation services between and within Tanzania and Zambia.

"TAZARA is of tremendous symbolic significance to us, and it's an emotional project for Tanzanians, Zambians, and of course, Chinese. This one was immediately post-independence, so it was designed to help the two countries develop their economies. Since then, it has contributed immensely towards building that corridor for exports and import of products from overseas. And China's contribution in that respect has been phenomenal," Makamba explained.

Tanzania's foreign minister highlights strong ties with China

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth