Across Mountains and Seas,
Together Toward the Future
— Celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
By Chinese Ambassador H.E. Chen Mingjian
As golden autumn brings refreshing breezes, we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China by the beautiful Indian Ocean. Looking back, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have forged ahead through self-reliance, perseverance and tireless efforts generation after generation, charting an extraordinary journey from hardships to great national rejuvenation. 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.
77 years of perseverance and progress have demonstrated the remarkable resilience and vitality of China’s economy. 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, and high-tech exports increasing by 39%. 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, continues to serve as a reliable anchor for stable and resilient global industrial and supply chains. China is delivering tangible benefits, strengthening other developing countries’ capacity for self-reliant development, and opening new avenues towards common prosperity.
With a vision of a shared future, we have remained steadfast in pursuing peaceful development. 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.
Through 70 years of standing together through thick and thin, China-Africa friendship has remained unbreakable. 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, jointly advance modernization, 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. 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 and African countries, this policy presents a golden opportunity to unlock economic potential, improve people’s livelihoods, and inject strong impetus into the industrialization process.
For 62 years, China and Tanzania have strengthened their friendship and written new chapters of cooperation. 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. 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, successfully visited Tanzania. 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. In 2025, bilateral trade reached a record US$11.28 billion, up 27% year-on-year, making China Tanzania’s largest trading partner for the 10 consecutive year. 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 steal, imbued with special historical sentiments, is embracing a vibrant new life and leaping forward into a “Road of Development” and a “Road of Prosperity”.
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.