Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema witnessed a historic moment at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 4th. The three leaders oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the revitalization project of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway.CRCC's Chairman, Dai Hegen, participated in the memorandum signing ceremony.

This railway, constructed in the 1970s, stands as a testament to China's commitment to African development. At a time when China itself was facing economic challenges, thousands of Chinese workers and experts contributed their expertise, and some even their lives, to build this crucial infrastructure. For Tanzania and Zambia, the railway represented more than just a transportation link; it symbolized economic independence and true post-colonial freedom.

In March 2013, after Xi Jinping took office as the President of China, he made his first overseas visit to Africa. He visited a cemetery where 60 Chinese experts are buried. They lost their lives on assistance missions to Tanzania over four decades. During the visit, Xi outlined the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith guiding China's Africa policy.

The construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway played an important role in Africa's struggle for national liberation and economic independence. Today, the heads of the three countries jointly witnessing the signing of the memorandum of understanding further support African countries in enhancing their capacity for independent development, helping African countries and people to follow the path of development they have independently chosen to promote integration.