A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the entry into commercial operation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) built with Chinese aid in the 1970s.
Held under the theme of "TAZARA@50: From Liberation to Transformation," the ceremony marked the culmination of a month-long series of celebration activities held in Zambia and Tanzania.
Built with Chinese assistance in the 1970s, TAZARA began its commercial operations in 1976 and remains a vital transport corridor for regional trade and connectivity in Africa.
As China, Tanzania and Zambia push forward plans to revitalize the railway, TAZARA Managing Director Bruno Ching'andu says the modernization project will strengthen regional connectivity.
"It (TAZARA) is a very good facilitator for the African Free Trade Agreement. That African Free Trade Agreement will succeed only if the transportation is enhanced and TAZARA will provide that, especially after the concessions of TAZARA and after the rehabilitation of the line. We see TAZARA playing a major role in facilitating the African Free Trade Agreement," he said.
Zambia marks 50th anniv. of entry into commercial operation of Tanzania-Zambia Railway
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with visiting Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Tuesday, to discuss relations between their two countries.
Thongsavanh is in China to attend the 11th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Wang said China is ready to work with Laos to further build a community with a shared future.
He urged efforts from both sides to make full use of the Joint Committee for China-Laos Economic Corridor Cooperation, accelerate development of the China-Laos Railway, and expand cooperation in trade and mineral resources.
Thongsavanh said Laos is committed to advancing the building of a Laos-China community with a shared future, and strengthening cooperation with China in connectivity, energy, mineral resources, and artificial intelligence.
He also pledged closer coordination to combat transnational crime and jointly safeguard ASEAN unity and autonomy, as well as regional peace and stability.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the Year of China-Laos Friendship.
The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism comprises six countries: China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, which share the Lancang-Mekong River basin. The Mekong River, known as the Lancang River in China, originates in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province and flows through the six countries, linking their economies and creating opportunities for regional cooperation.
Chinese foreign minister meets Lao deputy prime minister on relations
