Tazara revitalization to boost development, improve livelihoods in Africa

The revitalization project of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (Tazara) is expected to improve transportation conditions, promote social and economic development, and improve people's livelihoods along the route, injecting new impetus into Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa.

The groundbreaking ceremony of Tazara Revitalization Project was held in Zambia's capital Lusaka on Thursday to start the reconstruction of the 5-decade-old railway line, with a budget of 1.4 billion U.S. dollars.

As a milestone project of China-Africa friendship, the 1,860-kilometer railway, connecting Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital, with New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, was built with interest-free loans from China and officially handed over to the governments of Tanzania and Zambia on July 14, 1976.

China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) serves as the constructor and future operator of the Tazara Revitalization Project.

"This will not only help Zambia's economic fortunes, but also -- it's not just Zambia and Tanzania relying on this particular trade corridor, the Tazara. It is other regional countries as well that can utilize this particular Tazara corridor, for they're -- ultimately -- that promotes regional integration," said Frank Tayali, Zambian Minister of Transport and Logistics.

"CRCC will resolutely implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China, Tanzania, and Zambia. We will carry forward the Tazara Railway spirit, sustain the traditional China-Africa friendship, and develop the Tazara Revitalization Project into a road to development and prosperity for the people of Tanzania and Zambia in the new era," said Dai Hegen, chairman of CRCC.

The revitalized Tazara Railway is projected to increase its freight capacity by more than tenfold and save transportation time by two-thirds, significantly reducing logistics costs for minerals, agricultural products, and other goods.

The construction and operation of project is expected to create a substantial number of jobs for local people, while boosting economic development in urban and rural areas along the route.

"The revitalization of the Tazara Railway is going to improve many lives in Zambia, like in terms of employment to the young women and young men who have employment. And, it is also going to help us in earning more money to make our lives better," said Priscilla Nanyungwe, a Zambian worker at CRCC.

Tazara revitalization to boost development, improve livelihoods in Africa

Tazara revitalization to boost development, improve livelihoods in Africa

Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of London on Saturday, marching from Westminster to the U.S. embassy to deliver a clear message to the United States and Israel -- stop the war in Iran.

Chanting slogans and carrying banners reading "Stop bombing Iran" and "No war on Iran", demonstrators condemned what they described as unlawful military aggression that they say threatens regional stability and civilian lives.

"What Trump is doing from his base in America -- trying to rule the world. And I think it's disgusting and it's dangerous. It's killing. It's going to kill tens of thousands of people across the Middle East, and it'll have huge ramifications across the world," said a protester in an interview with China Global Television Network.

"I think that Trump and Netanyahu's obvious attempts to push regime change are unacceptable. And it's ultimately the Iranian people and people across the Middle East, normal people, who are going to suffer the most in this war," said another.

The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, which resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several of his family members and multiple senior Iranian military commanders.

Iran said on Friday evening that since the fighting began, at least 1,332 civilians have been killed, with thousands of others injured.

"A completely immoral, groundless act of aggression, another war crime against Iran," said a third protester.

"They are going in, they're bombing people indiscriminately. Over 160 school children have been killed for no good reason," another protester said, referring to the U.S.-Israeli airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, southern Iran.

Initially, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the United States couldn't use any British bases for military actions in the Middle East. But he later rolled back on his words, saying that the U.S. can use certain bases as long as it is for defensive actions only.

The protesters don't think he has gone far enough. They said that this is an illegal action and should be stopped immediately.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a live broadcast statement on Saturday that Israel's attack on Iran will continue with "full force and uncompromising momentum."

Israel has a well-prepared plan with many surprises to undermine "Iranian regime" and "enable change," Netanyahu said.

Thousands march in London to demand halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran