Bilateral relations between China and Tanzania

(fmprc.gov.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-06 11:34

1. Political Relations

China established diplomatic relations with Tanganyika and Zanzibaron December 9, 1961 and December 11, 1963 respectively. When Tanganyika and Zanzibar were united and became Tanzaniaon April 26, 1964, it is natural for China to extend its diplomatic ties with Tanzania. China took the union day as the date of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United Republic of Tanzania. Sino-Tanzanian relations have witnessed a long-term healthy and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Tanzanian first president Julius Nyerere visited Chinafor five times during his presidency (1964-1985). In 1965, China and Tanzania signed "The Treaty of Friendship between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania", and many other agreements on bilateral co-operation in the fields of economy, trade, culture and health were also signed between the two countries. Tanzania actively supported China's efforts to return to the United Nations (UN). At the 26th General Assembly of the UN in 1971, Tanzania was among the sponsoring countries of the resolution supporting the restoration of all China's legitimate rights in the world body. During the period of 1985-1995 when President Ali Hassan Mwinyi was in office, Tanzania continued to pursue a friendly policy towards China, and the friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries were further consolidated and strengthened in various fields. Since President Benjamin William Mkapa came to power, Tanzania has spoken highly of China's assistance and appreciated China's independent foreign policy of peace and its experience on the reform and opening-up policy. The two countries have ever since carried out extensive cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, military, culture, etc.

In January 1998, China and Tanzania signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on the Establishment of Honorary Consulate by the United Republic of Tanzania in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Tanzanian leaders who visited China are: President Julius Nyerere (February 1965, June 1968, March 1974, March 1981, August 1985 in the capacity of the president; April 1987, November 1989, August 1990, July 1991, September 1992, September 1993, September 1995, July 1997 in the capacity of the chairman of the South Commission), President Ali Hassan Mwinyi (March 1987, August 1992), President Benjamin William Mkapa (April 1998), Prime Minister E. M. Sokoine (September 1978), Prime Minister Salim Ahmed Salim (September 1984), Prime Minister John Samuel Malecela (September 1994), Zanzibar President Salmin Amour (November 1990, November 1996),Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye (March 2000), Mrs Amal, wife of Zanzibar President (March 2000), Foreign Minister Kikwete (June 2001), Zanzibar President Karume (August 2002).

In October 2000, President Benjamin William Mkapa led a government delegation to participate in the 2000 ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, and made a speech at the opening ceremony.

The important visits to Tanzania by Chinese leaders and officials are: Premier Zhou Enlai (June 1965), Huang Hua (April 1980 as Foreign Minister, and December 1984 as Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress), Premier Zhao Ziyang (January 1983), State Councilor Chen Muhua (August 1983 and June 1986), State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian (May 1987), Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1991), Vice Premier Zhu Rongji (July 1995), State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Luo Gan (September 1996), Premier Li Peng (May 1997), Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (January1999), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Xu Jialu (January 1999) and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Song Jian (June 2002), and Chairman of the CPPCC Li Ruihuan (February 2003).

2. Economic and Trade Relations, and Economic and Technical Cooperation

Tanzania is China's largest aid recipient country in Africa. Since 1964, China has provided various kinds of assistance to Tanzania. Main Chinese-supported projects In Tanzania are as follows: the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (Tazara), Friendship Textile Mill, Mubarali Rice Farm, Kiwira Coal Mine and Mahonda Sugar Cane Factory. China-Tanzanian joint venture cooperation started in the 1960s and has been developing rapidly in recent years. At present, there are eight Sino-Tanzanian joint ventures established in Tanzania. Among which Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Corporate Ltd, which was re-organized on the basis of the former Chinese-supported Friendship Textile Mill by using the interest-subsidized preferential credit provided by the Chinese Government, serves as a successful example for mutually beneficial cooperation. China-Tanzanian mutually beneficial cooperation began in 1981 and there are now more than 40 companies carrying out the business of labor contracts and services in Tanzania.

In 2002, the total trade volume between China and Tanzania came to US$128 million, of which China's export was US$121 million and import US$6.62 million. China's main exports to Tanzania are: foodstuff, vehicles, textiles, light industrial products, chemical products, mechanical equipment, electric appliances and steel. Tanzania's main exports to China are: dry seafood, raw leather, log, coarse copper, and wooden handcrafts. In December 1997, China Investment and Trade Promotion Center was established in Tanzania.

The agreements signed between China and Tanzania include: The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania (June 1964); The Trade Agreement between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania (February 1965); The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Government of Republic of Zambia on the Construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (September 1967); The Barter Trade Protocol between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania (March 1984); The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on the Establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Commission (August 1985); The Framework Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the Provision of an Interest-Subsidized Preferential Credit by China to Tanzania (1996 and 1997).

3. Exchanges and Cooperation in the fields of Culture, Education, Health and Military Affairs

China and Tanzania signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on Cultural Cooperation in 1962 and 1992 respectively. Since the 1960s, China has begun to receive Tanzanian students. At present, there are 80 Tanzanian students studying in China. Since 1964, China has begun sending medical teams to Tanzania. In 1967, the two countries signed the Agreement on Dispatching Chinese Medical Teams to Tanzania. There are 46 Chinese medical personnel working in Tanzania.

Chinaand Tanzania began their military exchanges and cooperation in 1964. Chinese military officials who visited Tanzania include: Deputy Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Li Da (June 1974), Assistant Chief of General Staff of the PLA Xu Xin (August 1982), Commander of Chengdu Military Area Command Fu Quanyou (September 1989), General Wang Hai, Air Force Commander (February.1992), State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Chi Haotian (August 1994), Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA Xiong Guangkai (May 1997), Deputy Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of National Defense Sun Qixiang (1998), Deputy Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of National Defense Zhang Bangdong (March, December 2000), General Li Ji'nai of the General Armament Department of the PLA (October 2000), Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA Qian Shugen (May 2001), Chief of General Staff of the P.L.A Fu Quanyou (November 2001).

Tanzanian military officials who visited China include: Brigadier Sarakikya, Commander of National Defense Forces (July 1964), Colonel Yousof, Commander of the Zanzibar Army (August 1966), Minister of Defense and National Service Sokoyiri (January 1973, March 1974) Minister Jackson Makweta of National Defense of the Office of the President (May 1985), General E.M. Kiaro, Commander of National Defense Forces (May 1991), Abdulrahman Kinana, State Minister of Defense and National Service (October 1993), Edgar Maokola-Majogo, Minister of Defense and National Service (October 1997), General Robert P. Mboma, Commander of National Defense Forces (March 1998), Major General Maokola-Majogo, Minister of Defense and National Service (December 1999), Major GeneralG. M. Waitara, Minister of the Training Department of National Defense Forces (September 2000), Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Managing Secretary of Ministry of Defense and National Service (September 2001), and Commander General G. M. Waitara, Commander of National Defense Forces (August 2002).

4. Important Agreements and Documents

The Treaty of Friendship between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania (February 1965)