China is a Genuine Friend and Reliable Partner of Tanzania

In consideration of the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, seventy years may seem a short period of time. But if you look at what has been achieved over the past seventy years, we cannot but be impressed.

Over the past seventy years, China has gone through tremendous transformation. This transformation has positively affected hundreds of millions of Chinese, placed China in a respected place in the comity of nations. China now has one fifth of the world’s population and is the second largest economy in the world.

Indeed, the Global Innovation Index (GII) replicated in the report by the World Intellectual Property Organization of 24 July 2019, which ranked 129 economies based on 80 indicators, shows that China moved up three places to the 14th among the world’s most innovative countries this year.

China remained the first place in quality of innovation among middle-income economies for the seventh consecutive year, and achieved the top spot in patents, utility models, trademarks and industrial designs by origin, as well as hi-tech and creative goods exports. China also ranked second only to the United States in 18 of the top 100 science and technology clusters.

These transformations are remarkable and must always inspire us as we struggle to evolve into an industry-led economy come 2025. They remind us of the need to embrace hard working, self-sacrificing and above all the respect for humanity as we endeavor to revolutionize our economy.

China’s seven-decade history has witnessed remarkable achievements worthy of commemoration. If I were to narrate all the recorded achievements, my article will occupy the whole supplement. (Original text: I will spend the whole evening.) Therefore, allow me to point out three key messages that in my view summarizes China’s achievements in the last 70 years.

The first message is all-around development. Since the founding of New China, China’s development has been people-oriented and aimed at meeting people’s aspiration for a better life. While building a strong economy, China has also pursued balanced development in all aspects.

The second message is exchange and mutual learning. Exchange and mutual learning enrich civilizations. Through various initiatives, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a wealth of experience and learning has been shared between the people of China and the people in the rest of the world.

Undeniably, these two initiatives are earth shaking initiatives aimed at putting in place a horizon of cooperation for mutual benefit of all participating countries.

The third message is win-win cooperation. We are all witness to China’s openness to forge win-win cooperation without discrimination. This is aptly distinguished following the decision of China 41 years ago to embrace reforms and opening up that created the opportunity for the entire world to benefit from.

As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we are also commemorating 55 years of diplomatic relations between the United Republic of Tanzania and the People’s Republic of China.

These diplomatic relations have endured into an all-weather relationship rightly said by Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Founding Father of the Nation and First President of the United Republic of Tanzania that, “the People’s Republic of China is a special and endear friend and we now have a friend and great new friend, and friend from whom we were barred in the days of colonialism”.

All the ever-closer people-to-people exchanges between China and Tanzania have enriched our people’s life. This is the best example of win-win cooperation. I am confident that an ever-developing China will create broader prospects for our two countries to engage in more fruitful cooperation. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and its people have always taken China as the genuine friend and reliable partner. We shall remain supportive of the Chinese Government’s “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

Similarly, we remain convinced that China will continue to stand together with African countries to ensure that the interests of the developing world including Africa are well accommodated and hastened in the UN Security Council reforms. Long live the friendship and cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Prof. Palamagamba J.A.M. Kabudi (MP) is a Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania.