Summary
Military cooperation remains a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Tanzania and China and continues to contribute to peace and stability across East Africa and the African continent.
By Augustino Tendwa/ Special Correspondent for Diplomatic Affairs
DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their long-standing defence partnership, with both countries pledging to deepen military cooperation in support of peace, security and shared development.
The commitment was made during a ceremony hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Tanzania to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The event brought together senior government officials, military commanders, diplomats, business leaders and friends of China in Tanzania.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Minister for Defence and National Service, Simon Nyasaho, said relations between Tanzania and China continue to stand as a model of genuine partnership founded on mutual trust, respect and enduring solidarity.
He noted that the Tanzanian government highly values China’s contribution to strengthening the country’s defence sector through cooperation between the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
The collaboration has included military training, professional exchanges, institutional capacity building and strategic dialogue.
According to the minister, the partnership has significantly enhanced the professionalism of Tanzanian military personnel and strengthened the TPDF’s capacity to fulfil its constitutional mandate of safeguarding national peace and security.
“The long-standing cooperation between the PLA and the TPDF reflects the enduring friendship between our two nations. Tanzania remains committed to preserving and further strengthening this partnership for the benefit of our people and in support of regional peace and security,”Nyasaho said.
He added that military cooperation remains a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Tanzania and China and continues to contribute to peace and stability across East Africa and the African continent.
Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania thanked guests for attending the celebration, describing the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the history and achievements of the People’s Liberation Army since its establishment on August 1, 1927, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
The ambassador said that over nearly a century, the PLA has undergone remarkable transformation to become one of the world’s most modern and professional armed forces, playing a vital role in safeguarding China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security while supporting the country’s development.
He noted that China’s remarkable economic and social progress over recent decades has been made possible in part by the peaceful and stable environment maintained by the PLA.
The ambassador also highlighted the PLA’s contribution to global peace through its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and international cooperation on arms control and non-proliferation.
Reflecting on the long-standing ties between Tanzania and China, the ambassador said the foundation of the bilateral relationship was laid by the two countries’ founding leaders, Chairman Mao Zedong and Tanzania’s Founding Father, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, whose vision established a friendship based on equality, mutual respect and solidarity among developing nations.
He recalled that during Tanzania’s early years of independence, China was among the country’s key partners in strengthening its defence sector through military training and institutional capacity building.
This cooperation, he said, went hand in hand with the implementation of landmark development projects, including the TAZARA Railway, which remains a lasting symbol of the enduring friendship between China and Africa.
The ambassador reaffirmed China’s readiness to expand cooperation with Tanzania across a broad range of sectors, including defence, trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, education and people-to-people exchanges.
He further stated that as the PLA approaches its centenary in 2027, China will continue to pursue a policy of peaceful development, respect for the sovereignty of other nations and the building of a shared future for the benefit of the global community.
The ceremony concluded with both Tanzania and China reaffirming their determination to deepen military and diplomatic cooperation while preserving the friendship established by the founding leaders of the two nations.
Beyond commemorating the PLA’s 99th anniversary, the event underscored the strength of the historic Tanzania-China partnership, a relationship that continues to foster peace, security and sustainable development for the mutual benefit of both countries.
