TANZANIA AND CHINA CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP AND USHER IN TOURISM COOPERATION

TANZANIA (eTN) - Next year is set to see China and Tanzania coming together to celebrate 50 years of friendship and economic cooperation, with tourism becoming a new area which the two countries are looking to share.

Sino-Tanzania cooperation grew roots in early years of Tanzania’s independence, thanks to the first President of Tanzania, the late Dr. Julius Nyerere and his Chinese counterpart, Mao Zedong.

Though travel and tourism were not manifested in Sino-Tanzania during those years, China became a good friend with Tanzania in areas covering investment in agriculture, transport, import and export trade.

Recent reports from Beijing quoted the Chinese Prime minister Li Keqiang saying China and Tanzania will mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties come 2014.

Li said China is willing to work out strategic plans with Tanzania and promote cooperation on major projects shared between these friendly nations, located in two different continents.

"China will continue to provide assistance for Tanzania within its capacity and hopes this East African country will offer support to Chinese enterprises”, Li said.

The Chinese premier said friendly cooperation is an important aspect of China's foreign policy, and is willing to work with African countries to create a peaceful and stable environment for development.

China has recently signed cooperation agreements with Tanzania, covering tourism as a key area of economic cooperation. No reports were made available from the government of Tanzania about the Sino-Tanzania cooperation event, while officials in Dar es Salaam opted to keep it a secret.

A leading Chinese travel and tourism investment in Tanzania is the Tanzania and Zambia railway extending from Tanzania’s capital city of Dar es Salaam to Zambia’s copper belt capital of Kapiri Mposhi, covering a distance of 1,860 kilometers.

The Tanzania Zambia Railway is currently a leading travel link between South African tourists traveling to Tanzania and other East African states by train.

Rovos Rail company operates annual vintage trips from Cape Town in South Africa to Dar es Salaam through Tanzania Zambia railway. The Rovos Rail train rolls about 6,500 kilometers from Cape to Dar es Salaam, passing through Southern African tourist attractive sites including the vineyards in South Africa, Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Selous Game reserve in Tanzania and the Copper Belt in Zambia.
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By Apolinari Tario, eTN Tanzania Correspondent | Nov 27, 2013