On January 9, 2026 local time, when jointly meeting the press with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo in Dar es Salaam, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi shared the story of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and China-Africa friendship.

Wang Yi stated that in the 1960s, to support the development and construction of Tanzania and Zambia, which had successively achieved national independence, China, though not wealthy at that time, resolutely decided to send a large number of engineering and technical personnel. They traveled thousands of miles to this land, overcame numerous difficulties, and built the Tanzania-Zambia Railway for the African people. China's willingness to assist Tanzania stems from the similar historical experiences and shared aspirations between China and Africa. China and Africa are brothers, comrades, partners and friends who need to achieve national development through unity and strength to enable their peoples to live better lives.

Wang Yi said that today, China and Tanzania should join hands to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and further enhance its role, making it a new engine for Tanzania's development, giving the country wings to fly, and delivering visible and tangible benefits to the local people. Both sides should jointly develop industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining along the railway, and create a railway prosperity belt and an economic development corridor.

Wang Yi said that in China, the story of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is widely known, and the notion of China-Africa friendship is deeply rooted in people's hearts. China and Tanzania built the railway together in the past, and now the two countries will advance toward modernization together. China is willing to work with Tanzania to honor the achievements of the predecessors, carry forward traditional friendship, and jointly build a new milestone in China-Africa friendship.