Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs, January Yusuf Makamba, praised the robust and evolving partnership between Tanzania and China during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), reflecting on the historical principles guiding China-Africa relations and outlining key cooperative projects.
Tanzania was the first African country that Chinese President Xi Jinping visited after assuming the presidency in 2013.
During that visit, President Xi introduced the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith for China's Africa policy. These principles have since become the foundation of China's cooperation with developing countries.
Makamba emphasized the significance of these principles in the interview on Sunday, the day before he wrapped up a five-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He praised these principles for their depth and relevance to Africa's historical context.
"These principles are very key, because we in Africa are very sensitive to partnerships. Because of our history, we have a glorious history as a continent, but also we have a history of being colonized and being exploited. The principles that President Xi elaborated in Dar es Salaam in 2013, that underpin the relation between China and Africa, are very good because they take into consideration our history. So, over the past 10 years, since these principles were established, we've seen the transformation of China-Africa relations in a positive way," said Makamba.
Makamba also highlighted the tangible benefits of China's projects in Africa.
"The projects that China wants to do in Africa are beneficial to us. The interaction between China, and the engagement between China and Africa, is one that is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit as well. So the Dar es Salaam Consensus comes up with a new blueprint for global order; the international order that is based on openness, transparency, mutual respect, equity, fairness. These are the things that we've always wanted, and we hope that all Africans, together with China and other international partners, will coalesce around the Dar es Salaam Consensus as a new way to organize the global community," he added.
Reflecting on specific cooperative ventures, Makamba spoke about the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority, popularly known as TAZARA, a bi-national railway linking the Southern Africa Regional transport network to Eastern Africa's seaport of Dar es Salaam, offering both freight and passenger transportation services between and within Tanzania and Zambia.
"TAZARA is of tremendous symbolic significance to us, and it's an emotional project for Tanzanians, Zambians, and of course, Chinese. This one was immediately post-independence, so it was designed to help the two countries develop their economies. Since then, it has contributed immensely towards building that corridor for exports and import of products from overseas. And China's contribution in that respect has been phenomenal," Makamba explained.
Tanzania's foreign minister highlights strong ties with China
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
