Chinese FM calls for deeper cooperation with Tanzania

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi advocated more comprehensive cooperation with Tanzania when meeting the country's Foreign Minister Dr. Augustine Mahiga on Monday in the African nation. The two foreign ministers hailed the success the two countries have achieved together in infrastructure development, and pledged to deepen cooperation in all fields.

During the meeting, Wang agreed that the two countries have benefited from the relationship, and stated: “China will value the friendship, justice and common interest with Tanzania. Our support does not come with political strings attached.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tanzania on January 9, 2017. /CGTN

In addition, he said that China’s further investments in Tanzania will help to build more factories with the aim of creating thousands of new jobs by 2020.

Mahiga also expressed appreciation for the relationship between the two countries, saying: “Our relationship goes through all sectors, agriculture, industry, business, culture and security. On the road to reach middle income country level, China is a good partner in helping us.”

Tanzania's Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga, September 26, 2016. /CFP Photo

Nevertheless, some of China's big investments in Tanzania are facing difficulties.

China funded and helped build the famous Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) that links Tanzania’s port city Dar es Salaam to Zambia's copper mine city Kapiri Mposhi. However, it has fallen into debt and disrepair in recent years.

Therefore, when referring to building a new China-backed super port in another important port city Bagamoyo in Tanzania, many Tanzanian politicians worry that the new plan might go the same way as TAZARA.

The TAZARA station in Tanzania’s port city Dar es Salaam, August 18, 2011. /CFP Photo

When talking about TAZARA, Wang said: "TAZARA is closely related to the common interest between China and Tanzania, and we have reached an agreement on revamping and upgrading TAZARA."

Tanzania has gained much from its relationship with China in recent years, including millions in aid and investment. The challenge for Tanzania is to maximize the value of China’s investment to industrialize. So this relationship is only likely to become more important in the years to come.

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