On July 17, Tanzania’s mainstream media The Guardian published an exclusive interview with Ambassador Chen Mingjian. In the interview, Ambassador Chen elaborated on the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), expounded on China’s key initiatives including the three global initiatives, highlighted the fruitful outcomes of China-Tanzania cooperation, and presented China’s position on the U.S. abuse of tariffs and responded to questions on bilateral cultural exchanges. The interview video was broadcast on The Guardian’s website and social media platforms. Here is the full transcript of the interview:

The Guardian: What is your take on recent development of China-Tanzania relations, head-of-state diplomacy and cooperation in various areas? What are the important outcomes? What role has the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation played in this regard?

Ambassador Chen Mingjian: The recent development of China-Tanzania relations comes from our common past. The special relationship can date back to the leadership of the founding fathers of our two nations. We will never forget how Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, Vice President Abeid Karume nurtured our unbreakable traditional friendship with sincerity and good faith in the old days. From then on, China and Tanzania share a long-standing strong relationship built on mutual respect and mutual trust. No matter how the international situation changes, no matter what challenges we face, and no matter what kind of disturbance and disruption we encounter, the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania has withstood the test of time, and is getting stronger with time.

When the time comes to the new era, head-of-state diplomacy has made clear guidance to the relationship of our two countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tanzania right after assuming office. During that visit, President Xi put forth the sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing greater good and shared interests, which have since been the guiding principles of China’s policy toward Africa. And President Samia Suluhu Hassan met with President Xi three times, visited China two times.

Now, China has been the largest trading partner of Tanzania for 9 consecutive years, with trade volume exceeding 8.88 billion US dollars in 2024. A number of Tanzanian high quality agricultural products such as soybeans, sesame and avocados were exported to China, boosting Tanzania’s economy as well as accommodating Chinese consumers. China is also the largest source of investment of Tanzania. Investments in projects such as Huaxin Cement Maweni Limestone, KEDA Ceramics and so on exceed 100 million US dollars respectively, creating thousands of job opportunities for local. Let alone the countless infrastructure projects constructed by Chinese enterprises including the SGR, Julius Nyerere Hydro-power Plant, the newly completed JP Magufuli Bridge, etc.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the FOCAC. Recently, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC was held in Changsha, China. The FOCAC members discussed strategies for further implementing the consensus reached by the leaders and the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit. President Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting. He emphasized that China remains committed to creating new opportunities for the world through the new achievements in Chinese modernization, and providing new momentum for Africa and other Global South partners through China’s big market. China is ready to work with the African side to further implement the ten partnership actions, strengthen cooperation in key areas such as green industries, e-commerce and payment, science and technology, and AI, deepen cooperation in such fields as security, finance, and the rule of law, and jointly promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.

Since the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, China has provided funding of over RMB 150 billion yuan (equivalent to 21 billion US dollars) to Africa. Early outcomes of the follow-up actions have been achieved, containing 35 items in 10 categories. Tanzania has become one of the countries that have seen the most effective implementation of the outcomes of the Summit. Tanzania delivered first batch of honey to China, to use the zero-tariff policy China granted to Tanzania. We are working hard to revitalize TAZARA Railway, expecting progress soon. China implemented the Minimally Invasive Medicine Program, and shared techniques with Tanzania, which helped open a new era of minimal invasion surgery in Africa. Positive progress has been made in the upgrade and expansion of Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and Juncao technological projects. China cooperated with the Institutional Fund for Agricultural Development on advancing agricultural projects in Tanzania through the use of satellite digital technology. I just named some, you can see through the joint efforts of both sides, Tanzania is among the most beneficial countries from our cooperation.

The Guardian: The U.S. recently slapped “reciprocal tariffs” on all trading partners, destabilizing the global economy. Could you please brief us on China’s stance?

Ambassador Chen: The U.S.’s reciprocal tariffs cast down shadow on world economy, and brought great uncertainties to normal international economic and trade activities. African countries are more vulnerable. Some Tanzanian economic analysts warned that soybeans, coffee, textiles, cashew nuts, cocoa beans, beeswax and other Tanzania’s primary exports to the U.S. will suffer, which may result in job losses and economic recession.

China’s position on tariff is clear, there are no winners in trade war. Protectionism hurts everyone’s interests. China and the U.S. are the two largest economies in the world. Sound and steady China-U.S. trade ties bear on the well-being of both peoples and global development and prosperity. As the largest developing country and an open, honest and responsible major country, China has stepped forward at this critical juncture, adopting resolute countermeasures while proactively working with other nations across multilateral platforms to uphold justice. This stance serves not only to defend China’s legitimate development rights, but also to shield the shared interests of the international community, especially small and medium-sized states, and to safeguard global fairness and justice.

Now, China and the U.S. held trade talks and reached framework of agreement. Especially at this moment, China would like to cooperate closer and more with Africa. China granted zero-tariff to 100% tariff line products of Africa. I believe through our joint efforts, we can achieve common development together.

The Guardian: At present, the international landscape is complex and volatile. How can China and Tanzania cooperate in addressing global risks and challenges?

Ambassador Chen: Today, the world is marked by turbulence and complexity, and globalization faces headwinds with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise. China and Tanzania should strengthen unity and cooperation to jointly address risks and challenges.

First, we should deepen political mutual trust.  China and Tanzania have always shared similar views, taken common positions and supported each other at the international arena. In the new era, guided by head-of-state diplomacy and common need to implement the FOCAC Summit outcomes, we continue to support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns.

Second, we should strengthen practical cooperation. China commends Tanzania’s new foreign policy for its emphasis on economic diplomacy, and supports Tanzania to foster new growth areas such as the digital economy, green development, and the blue economy under the 10 partnership actions put forward by President Xi Jinping. The two sides will work together to create more stories about China-Tanzania cooperation for high-quality development and send a strong message of solidarity and collaboration among members of the Global South.

Third, we should uphold multilateralism. Open cooperation is the trend of history, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes are the aspirations of people worldwide. President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. At the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries in April this year, China emphasized that it will continue to uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. With the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative as the main platform, China will work together with other like-minded countries to create a brighter future.

The Guardian: In recent years, Tanzania has attracted an increasing number of Chinese tourists, while more Tanzanian youth are learning the Chinese language. In your opinion, how can people-to-people exchanges help enhance bilateral relations?

Ambassador Chen: “Amity between the people holds the key to state-to-state relations.” Despite the vast geographical distance between China and Tanzania, people-to-people exchanges have fostered mutual learning, brought both countries closer together, and yielded fruitful results. 

In 2024, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties by various programs, including a series of events under the framework of the China-Tanzania Tourism and Culture Year. Two countries’ mutual visits and promotion achieved positive outcomes. According to the latest data, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania reached over 70,000, setting a new record. Chinese medical teams dispatched to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar have treated over 20 million patients, and their stories were adapted into the television drama Welcome to Milele Village, which resonated deeply with audience in both China and Tanzania. An increasing number of Tanzanian youth are learning Chinese, with the Confucius Institutes at the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of Dodoma witnessing a steady rise in enrollment. The launch of direct flights between China and Tanzania has further facilitated bilateral contacts. People-to-people exchanges will provide rich cultural nourishment and strong spiritual momentum for China-Tanzania relations.

Next year is China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. President Xi Jinping pointed out, “the foundation and lifeline of China-Africa relations lie with the people. Therefore, the development of our relations should be more people-oriented.” Our two sides will host a series of people-to-people exchange activities under the theme of Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue Shared Dream of Modernization. We hope the celebration will further consolidate public support for our everlasting friendship.

The Guardian: Could you please share your most memorable experience as Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania? Any aspiration for future China-Tanzania relations?

Ambassador Chen: Tanzania is a vast and marvelous land. I’ve been to more than 20 regions over the past four years in my capacity as Chinese Ambassador, and learnt something new from each trip. I have a lot of memorable experiences in Tanzania. I will select two. The first is H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to China last year. I had the honor to accompany her throughout the trip. The 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit was a grand gathering of the world’s largest developing country and the continent with the largest number of developing countries, as well as the biggest diplomatic event with highest attendance of foreign leaders ever held by China in recent years. At the Summit, President Xi Jinping met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan. H.E. President Xi proposed ten partnership actions that China and Africa can pursue together for the next three years to come. H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan expounded her idea of way to modernization. You can see at the highest level, the leaders of two countries plan with thoughtful vision for the future of our two countries, through cooperation.

The second is the hospitality of Tanzanian people. I often was greeted with “Nihao” by strangers with smile. Once my colleagues and I waited at the red traffic signal to cross the road, a police officer came to help us to pass safely. All these make me feel I’m truly at home, recognized and helped by my brothers and sisters.