Cooperation with China can bring more mutual benefits while the revitalization of the China-aided Tanzania-Zambia railway will open up new opportunities for economic growth and serve future generations, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said on Friday.
Hichilema was in the Chinese capital to attend the three-day Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which wrapped up on Friday after bringing leaders from more than 50 African nations together for the largest diplomatic gathering hosted by China in recent years.
In an exclusive interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Hichilema highlighted how China has a long-term and profound friendship with many African countries, which is evidenced by the successful conclusion of the 2024 FOCAC Summit.
"A number of us have bilateral relationships with China, spanning over many years. For us, over 60 years, it's our 60th anniversary. Over the years, we've done a lot of things together for mutual benefit, for the people of China, the people of Zambia. And I think, beyond the two peoples, usually these things benefit the larger global community," he said.
Last Wednesday, Hichilema, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the revitalization project of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, known as the TAZARA railway.
Hichilema also stressed the significance of the 1,860-kilometer-long cross-border transport link which was constructed in the early 1970s through an interest-free loan from China and is seen as a 'heritage asset'.
He said he hopes the revitalization project of the railway, which links Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with Zambia's Kapiri Mposhi, will help to both retain and increase jobs and boost the 'economic corridor' along the route, with the agriculture, mining, tourism and other sectors all reaping the rewards of the proposed upgrades.
"It opens up Africa in terms of logistics, trade, market access. And so our producers of goods and services can access markets, producers can access inputs, it's a two-way process. With it is growth, growth brings jobs, business opportunities, that also brings revenue, government revenue, treasure revenue to support our young in terms of providing them with education," he said.
The TAZARA railway was constructed as a turnkey project between 1970 and 1975 through an interest-free loan from China, with commercial operations starting in July 1976.
Revitalization of Tanzania-Zambia railway set to deliver more growth opportunities: Zambian President
