Your Honorable Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania,

Your Honorable Mizengo Pinda, Former Prime Minister of Tanzania,

Your Honorable Dr. Neema Peter Majule and Your Honorable Zena Maulid Katambo, Members of National Assembly of Tanzania,

Your Honorable Brigadier General Salum Hamisi Mnumbe, Senior Assistant Coordinator National Security Council,

Your Honorable Wilson Mukama, former Secretary General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM),

Your Excellency Ahamada El Badaoui Mohamed, Ambassador of the Union of Comoros, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Tanzania,

Your Excellencies Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Representatives of the International Organizations,

Friends from Government, the CCM, Armed Forces, and Various Sectors of Tanzania,

My fellow Chinese Compatriots,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. Habari za jioni!

Tonight, we gather by the beautiful Indian Ocean to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the guests, and convey festive greetings to all our compatriots in Tanzania. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to friends from all walks of life for your longstanding support and commitment to China-Tanzania friendship. 

Over the past 77 years, China has weathered countless trials, and achieved remarkable progress. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups have forged ahead through self-reliance, perseverance and tireless efforts generation after generation, charting an extraordinary journey from hardships to great national rejuvenation.

Looking back, we have stood firm through challenges and grown stronger with every trial. Today, China’s overall national strength and international influence have risen to new heights. Our society enjoys harmony and stability, people’s well-being continues to improve, and scientific and technological innovation is advancing rapidly.

China’s economy has entered a critical stage of high-quality development, demonstrating tremendous resilience and dynamism. In 2025, China’s GDP surpassed 140 trillion yuan for the first time, equivalent to 19.63 trillion USD, growing by 5% and maintaining its position among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. This year marks the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Despite various challenges such as intertwined global geopolitical tensions and fluctuating external demand, China’s economy has braved headwinds through innovation-driven growth and made remarkable strides. China is the major trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions, with total trade volume in goods exceeding 25 trillion yuan for the first time in the first half of 2026. High-tech exports increased by 39%, showcasing remarkable competitiveness and resilience on the global stage. High-tech industries and new energy sectors have surged to the forefront. Homegrown large AI models have drew global attention, while major breakthroughs have been made in frontier fields such as humanoid robots, brain-computer interfaces, and advanced semiconductor equipment. Lithium battery output grew by 39.3% year-on-year, while new energy vehicles (NEV) accounted for more than half of all new cars sold in China. Green and low-carbon development is emerging as a new driver of economic growth. 

China’s economy continues to steer a steady course, bringing certainty and opportunities for global economic recovery. At a time when the global economy is struggling to regain momentum and unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, China has contributed to around 30% of global economic growth for many years in a row. Levering the strength of its vast market, China remains firmly committed to high-standard opening-up, more imports of high-quality goods and services, and a world-class business environment. China will continue  to serve as a reliable anchor for stable and resilient global industrial and supply chains. China advocates an economic globalization that is inclusive and delivers benefits for all. For developing countries in particular, China’s development is creating tangible and accessible opportunities for development. Through Belt and Road cooperation, from modern ports and railways linking coastal regions with inland corridors, to clean energy power stations easing power shortages, and agricultural demonstration centers as well as technology-sharing programs reaching communities and households, China is delivering tangible benefits, strengthening other developing countries’ capacity for self-reliant development, and opening new avenues towards common prosperity.

Honorable Minister, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a changing and turbulent world, humanity once again stands at a historic crossroads. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China’s diplomacy has consistently stood on the right side of history and human progress. China actively practices true multilateralism, upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core, and safeguards the international order underpinned by international law. With great foresight and a keen sense of the times, H.E. President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. These initiatives offer Chinese wisdom and solutions to address common global challenges.

For seven decades, China and Africa have stood together through thick and thin, forging an unbreakable bond of friendship through our shared struggle against imperialism and colonialism. This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, as well as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. H.E. President Xi Jinping has called on both sides to seize this opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning among civilizations, expand people-to-people exchanges, especially among the younger generation, deepen sharing of governance experience, and jointly advance modernization. Through these efforts, China and Africa can promote closer bonds among over 2.8 billion people, pooling their hearts, minds and strengths, and make new contributions to solidarity among the Global South in addressing global challenges, uphold common values of humanity, and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. 

Now, China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In May this year, China fully implemented a zero-tariff policy for all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, ensuring that its benefits are fully shared. For Tanzania, this policy presents a golden opportunity to unlock economic potential, improve people’s livelihoods, and enhance its international status. It can help Tanzania move from exporting raw materials to developing value-added processing, strengthen local manufacturing, accelerate industrialization, and further deepen trade and infrastructure connectivity as well as people-to-people ties between China and Tanzania.

The traditional friendship between China and Tanzania was forged by the elder generation of our two countries. Over the past 62 years since the establishment of our diplomatic relations, we have remained trusted friends and reliable partners, supporting each other on issues related to our respective core interests and major concerns, working with each other in exploring development paths suited to our respective national conditions. Our relationship has become a model of South-South cooperation.

In January this year, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Tanzania and met with H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Hon. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. Both sides agreed to implement the important consensus reached by our two Heads of State and further elevate the China-Tanzania Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to new heights. Under the strategic guidance of our two Heads of State, practical cooperation has continued to deliver tangible results. In 2025, bilateral trade reached a record US$11.28 billion, up 27% year-on-year, making China Tanzania’s largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years. More and more high-quality Tanzanian products, including soybeans, avocados, cashew nuts and wild seafood, are entering Chinese market.

The TAZARA Railway revitalization project was officially launched in November 2025, while the governments of China, Tanzania and Zambia have issued the Joint Statement on Jointly Building the TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt. Today, this vital artery of steel, imbued with special historical sentiments, is embracing a vibrant new life and leaping forward into a “Road of Development” and a “Road of Prosperity”.

Honorable Minister, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As an old Chinese saying goes, “No mountain or sea can distance people who share the same aspirations.” Standing at a new historical starting point, China stands ready to work with our Tanzanian friends to carry forward the TAZARA spirit, deepen exchanges and cooperation across the board, join hands in advancing modernization, and build a high-level China-Tanzania and China-Africa community with a shared future.

To conclude, I invite all of you to join me in a toast:

To the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China;

To the everlasting friendship and the common prosperity between our two peoples;

To the health and happiness of all our guests and your families;

To world peace and stability.

Cheers! Asante sana!