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JULY 2024
By Prof Omar Mjenga
Abstract
Africa and China's historical relationship, rooted in the liberation movements of the former, has evolved significantly over the past two decades, expanding beyond traditional government-to-government ties to encompass business-to-business and people-to-people connections. This deep-rooted relationship has flourished despite global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and economic disruptions, highlighting Africa's resilience and the critical role of international partnerships for its economic recovery.
China's steadfast role as Africa's largest trading partner and investor underscores the mutual benefits of this relationship. With trade reaching US$254 billion in 2022 and Chinese investments exceeding US$47 billion, the partnership has significantly contributed to Africa's economic development. As Africa advances initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), China's support through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other investments in infrastructure and trade is pivotal.
Tanzania exemplifies the strength of these ties, benefitting from substantial Chinese investments and cooperation in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, and technology. The historic friendship, solidified through diplomatic and developmental milestones, continues to thrive under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who have upgraded the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
As Tanzania and China celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, their enduring partnership stands as a testament to the shared values and mutual support that have defined their journey. This relationship, built on a foundation of political trust, economic collaboration, and cultural exchange, promises to grow even stronger, ensuring mutual prosperity and development for both nations.
Keywords: Africa-China Relations; Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); Diplomatic Relations; Economic Recovery; International Partnerships
Introduction
The historical and close relations between Africa and China date back to Africa's liberation movements. Over the past two decades, these relations have grown exponentially. Traditional government-to-government relations, prominent in the latter half of the 20th century, have evolved into robust business-to-business and people-to-people connections. This evolution should come as no surprise, echoing the African proverb, "A tree’s beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots". The deep roots of these relations have enabled them to flourish beyond many people's comprehension, creating a rich, complex, and stable relationship that continues to grow stronger.
As we examine these relations, it is crucial to acknowledge the backdrop of global adverse events. Crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukraine war, climate change effects, supply chain disruptions, inflation, debt crises, and spikes in fuel and food prices have disproportionately affected Africa and the developing world. These challenges are compounded by local problems, including insecurity from conflicts like the war in Sudan, military coups in West Africa, and high poverty rates leading to food insecurity.
Despite these daunting challenges, Africa remains resilient and has a real opportunity for economic recovery and prosperity. To achieve this, international partnerships and cooperation are key, supporting Africa's efforts to end poverty, create jobs, and reduce inequality. Peace is a fundamental prerequisite for development, and without it, progress remains elusive. China has proven to be a reliable partner in this regard, offering sustainable investment and trade.
China-Africa relations
As of 2022, China maintained its role as Africa's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. Trade between China and Africa rose from less than US$13 billion in 2000 to approximately US$254 billion in 2022, an increase of over 19 times. In the first five months of 2023 alone, total import and export between China and Africa reached US$113.5 billion, up by 16.4% year on year. China has also remained Africa's largest investor, with over US$47 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) as of 2022 (Pinda, 2023). These increased investments and trade exchanges have significantly bolstered African economies, creating more opportunities.
China-Africa relations continue to grow and adapt to accommodate the evolving interests of both sides. For instance, as African countries endeavour to launch their homegrown African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative, China has increased engagement with Africa's continental and sub-regional financial institutions, diversified FDI, and expanded the list of imports from Africa to support this initiative.
Once fully operational, the AfCFTA will unlock the benefits of the continental market, generating substantial opportunities for all African countries and beyond. At this juncture, international partnerships with countries like China become crucial. Africa seeks support to bridge the infrastructure gap and ensure the interconnectedness of the continent through roads, railways, airports, electricity transmission lines, and telecommunication lines. China is addressing this need through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been subscribed to by 52 African countries and the African Union Commission (Pinda, 2023). This shared understanding ensures that once the connectivity infrastructure is in place, the focus can shift to promoting bilateral trade and reducing trade deficits with China.
Tanzania-China relations
Tanzania, with its rich history and foreign policy, prioritises African continental initiatives such as the AfCFTA. The country is poised to benefit significantly from this arrangement. Like many other developing countries, Tanzania is ripe for industrialisation, technological development, innovation, and the digital economy. Collaborating with China, a leader in these areas, will enable Tanzania to acquire necessary skills and resources, mobilise new businesses, and address unemployment.
As of 2022, China remains the largest single source of Tanzania's foreign direct investment, according to the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). The TIC registered a total of 1,195 Chinese projects worth US$10.73 billion, creating 141,530 jobs. In the past two years alone, 205 new Chinese projects worth US$3.1 billion were registered, providing 22,626 new jobs and mobilising essential resources (Pinda, 2023). These investments span strategic projects such as the construction of the central-line Standard Gauge Railway, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station, and the Tanzania National ICT backbone network.
Furthermore, Tanzania enjoys a waiver of tariffs on 98% of taxable imports from China, boosting its agrarian economy by facilitating the export of agricultural products such as avocado, soybeans, and cassava to the Chinese market. China also supports Tanzania in overcoming learning, poverty, and skills gaps by offering scholarships and technical training opportunities (Pinda, 2023).
In the multilateral arena, Africa-China relations continue to thrive. Tanzania played a crucial role in restoring the People's Republic of China's lawful seat at the United Nations. This cooperation extends to formulating and defending common positions under the G-77 and China group. The unwavering support Tanzania provided to China, reflecting a longstanding commitment to mutual interests, is evident.
Ultimately, it is the people of Africa and China who are the first-hand witnesses to the significance of these relations. The interests of their peoples are at the centre of this enduring partnership. The relationship with China must be protected and nurtured to reach even greater heights. Over the years, China has provided financial and technical support to various projects in Tanzania, reflecting the strong and flourishing partnership between the two countries.
60 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Tanzania
On 26 April 1964, the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania formally established diplomatic relations. Over the past 60 years, the traditional friendship forged by the older generation of leaders and founders of the two nations, including Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and President Julius Nyerere, has been passed down through generations, becoming ever stronger. Despite changes in the international situation, the two countries have always maintained a firm grasp on the direction of their bilateral relations, standing together through thick and thin, and helping each other navigate the times.
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the Founding Father, and indeed the Father of the Nation, initiated high-level exchanges when he visited Beijing for the first time in February 1965. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai followed by visiting Tanzania in June of the same year. Over the past 60 years, China and Tanzania have deepened political trust. In the 1960s, China and Tanzania supported each other in the struggle for national liberation and independence of many southern African countries. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to Tanzania, announcing the building of a comprehensive partnership for mutual benefit and win-win cooperation (Wang, 2019). This visit pushed bilateral relations to a new level, with President Xi Jinping outlining his leadership’s foreign policy for Africa.
In 2022, President Samia Suluhu Hassan paid a successful visit to China, becoming the first African head of state received by China after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The two heads of state agreed to upgrade China-Tanzania relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations (Consulate General, 2022). Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Tanzania have maintained closer exchanges between governments, political parties, and legislatures, effectively safeguarding the unity and legitimate development interests of developing countries.
This traditional friendship, established by the founding fathers, has continued to forge unwavering support for each other on issues of mutual interest at bilateral levels and on the international stage. Despite external pressures, Tanzania was the first Eastern and Southern African country to sign the Treaty of Friendship with China in 1965. In 1971, Tanzania led the movement to support the People’s Republic of China in restoring its lawful seat at the United Nations. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, famously celebrated this victory by dancing on the General Assembly tables (Shangwe, 2021).
The Sino-Tanzania solidarity was crucial in the struggle for liberation and decolonisation of southern Africa, particularly through the front-line States, which Tanzania chaired. The most iconic cooperation came through the Chinese-financed construction of the 1,868km-long Tanzania-Zambia Railway line, known as TAZARA. This project, undertaken in the 1960s and 1970s when China was still in poverty, significantly promoted the independence of the people of southern Africa and forged a monument of China-Tanzania and China-Africa cooperation and true friendship. Mwalimu Nyerere had requested his European friends to assist in building the railway, but they declined. Chairman Mao offered China’s assistance, despite China’s economic challenges at the time (Shangwe, 2021).
The current Tanzanian Government, led by Africa’s only female Head of Government, Samia Suluhu Hassan, is open to investment and international partnerships. She has introduced the four pillars (4Rs) of consolidating democracy and ensuring people-centred development: reconciliation, resilience, reform, and rebuilding. These pillars invite domestic and international partners to cooperate for mutual benefit.
Tanzania’s relations with China are now tighter than ever. President Xi Jinping and President Samia Suluhu Hassan share a close working relationship, supporting each other on the international stage, especially at the United Nations. Recent encounters in Beijing during a state visit and in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit demonstrate the commitment to this relationship. Tanzania and China’s relations have been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, aiming to elevate cooperation in all areas. Frequent government and private sector delegations from both sides further solidify this partnership.
As mentioned, China remains the largest single source of Tanzania's foreign direct investment. As of August 2023, the Tanzania Investment Centre registered a total of 1,195 Chinese projects worth US$10.73 billion, creating 141,530 jobs. In the past two years alone, 205 new Chinese projects worth US$3.1 billion were registered, providing 22,626 new jobs (Pinda, 2023). Chinese companies operate in accordance with local investment laws, paying taxes, providing employment, and facilitating technological transfer. Projects include the central-line Standard Gauge Railway, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station, and the Tanzania National ICT backbone network.
And to reiterate, Tanzania enjoys a waiver of tariffs on 98% of taxable imports from China, benefitting its agricultural sector by facilitating exports to the Chinese market. China also supports Tanzania in overcoming learning, poverty, and skills gaps by offering scholarships and technical training opportunities. In 2023 alone, the Chinese government awarded 46 Tanzanian students with scholarships to Chinese higher learning institutions, and another 114 students received degree programme scholarships from the Ministry of Commerce of China. More than 2,000 scholarships and numerous short courses in vocational and technical training have been offered to Tanzania to date, empowering Tanzanians to contribute to their country's growth and prosperity (Pinda, 2023).
In the multilateral arena, Africa-China relations continue to thrive. Africa and China have stood together in international fora, supporting each other’s interests. They formulate and defend common positions under the umbrella of the G-77 and China group. China had Tanzania’s unwavering support. President Mkapa’s clear message to his Foreign Minister was to "support China", reflecting a longstanding commitment to mutual interests.
Ultimately, it is the people of Africa and China who stand as first-hand witnesses to the significance of these relations. These are relationships that last because the interests of their peoples are at the centre. The relationship with China must be protected and nurtured to reach greater heights. Over the years, China has provided financial and technical support to various projects in Tanzania, reflecting the strong and flourishing partnership between the two countries.
China has supported Tanzania in many fields, including health, education, culture, agriculture, ICT, trade, tourism, energy, and infrastructure development. Notable projects include the Mbarali Rice Farm, Friendship Textile Mills Ltd, Kiwira Coal Mine, Chalinze Water Supply Project, construction of the National Stadium, and the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre. Former President Mkapa described the relations between Tanzania and China as extending to people-to-people cooperation, with the people of Tanzania and China calling each other "Rafiki", meaning "friend" in Kiswahili (Tanzania Embassy, N.d.).
The cordial and friendly relations between Tanzania and China have continuously grown in strength and scope, thanks to the commitments of leadership on both sides. President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their commitments to strengthen the bond of friendship. Recent exchanges of visits between leaders of both countries demonstrate this commitment.
There can be no doubt over the sustainability of the friendship and cooperation between Tanzania and China. This is not by mere fluke; both countries have pursued similar socio-economic policies and followed similar paths to development. Tanzania’s policy of Ujamaa and Self Reliance is akin to China’s policy of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Tanzania’s economic liberalisation policy mirrors China’s opening up policy. Even Tanzania’s motto of “Kazi Lendelee” has much in common with China’s “Three Represents” (Tanzania Embassy, N.d.).
At the political level, China and Tanzania have always shared similar views, taken common positions, and supported each other internationally. During Africa’s decolonisation, China stood firmly behind the oppressed. China was among the first countries to recognise the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution. When Tanzania spearheaded the liberation struggle in southern Africa, China provided moral and material support. Today, China is Tanzania’s most reliable ally.
On Monday, 15 January 2024, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, together with Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, launched celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, culminating on 26 April 2024. Over the past 60 years, China-Tanzania people-to-people and cultural ties have solidified. The people of both nations owe much to the founding fathers and all who have contributed to these brotherly relations, including past and current leaders and distinguished individuals like Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim. In 2019, China honoured Dr. Salim for his instrumental role in facilitating China’s admission to the United Nations in 1971.
Dr. Salim’s support for China’s re-admission to the United Nations came at a personal cost when his candidature for UN Secretary General in 1981 was blocked by the US. Despite overwhelming support from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the South Pacific, the US consistently voted against Dr. Salim, preferring Austrian Kurt Waldheim, while China strongly supported Dr. Salim. After 16 votes over five weeks, Dr. Salim withdrew his candidature, allowing Peruvian diplomat Javier Perez de Cuellar to become the first UN Secretary General from Latin America (The Citizen, 2021). This episode underscores the complex dynamics of international diplomacy and the significant role Tanzania played in supporting China.
Conclusion
The relations between Tanzania and China have been marked by mutual support, shared interests, and enduring friendship. Mwalimu Nyerere and Amani Abedi Karume crafted a foreign policy that has guided Tanzania through decades of cooperation with China. The Centre for International Policy Africa is finalising a publication documenting Tanzania’s foreign policy journey since independence, highlighting the remarkable relationship between Tanzania and China. This publication will further underscore the significance of this enduring partnership.
References
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore (Consulate General). 2022. Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership Between the People’s Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania. [Online] Available at: http://lahore.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/zgxw/202211/t20221103_10800022.htm [accessed: 11 July 2024]
Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania Beijing (Tanzania Embassy). N.d. Statement on Sino-Tanzania Relations. [Online] Available at: https://www.cn.tzembassy.go.tz/about/category/sino-tanzania [accessed: 11 July 2024]
Pinda, M.P. 2023. Reflections on China-Tanzania Relations on the Occasion of the 74th Anniversary of PRC’s Founding. [Online] Available at: https://dailynews.co.tz/reflections-on-china-tanzania-relations-on-the-occasion-of-the-74th-anniversary-of-prcs-founding/#:~:text=China%20remains%20the%20largest%20single,in%20Tanzania%2C%20creating%20141%2C530%20jobs [accessed: 12 July 2024]
Shangwe, M. 2021. From Friends to Partners? The Changing Nature of Sino-Tanzanian Relations. [Online] Available at: https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/shangwe_sino_tanzanian_relations_2021.pdf [accessed: 11 July 2024]
The Citizen. 2021. China’s award to Tanzanian Dr Salim Ahmed Salim rekindles UN struggle. [Online] Available at: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/political-reforms/china-s-award-to-tanzanian-dr-salim-ahmed-salim-rekindles-un-struggle-2692790 [accessed: 11 July 2024]
Wang, K. 2019. Reliable friends and faithful partners. [Online] Available at: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201911/20/WS5dd4a758a310cf3e35578a24.html [accessed: 11 July 2024]
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