THE China-Tanzania trade volume has increased from less than $100m in 2000 to $8.78bn in 2023, the embassy has stated.

Chen Mingjian, the Chinese ambassador, said at a press conference in Dar es Salaam over the weekend that this was an increase of nearly 88 times, in reflections on the outcomes of 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing last month.

The summit was held in proximity with the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which defined China’s strategic role and its expectations on Africa in particular, she said.

 She affirmed that China-Tanzania cooperation has long been leading when it comes to China-Africa ties, with China achieving fruitful results from the investment in Tanzania “as it has always been a participant, enabler and beneficiary of the FOCAC.’

 “As an important FOCAC member, Tanzania has always actively participated in the forum’s activities and supported its development. Since the establishment, China-Tanzania trade volumes have increased from less than $100m to $8.78bn, she stated.

 She highlighted the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the renovation of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, in the presence of presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan, Xi Jinping and Hakainde Hichilema, expected to accelerate trade and regional integration.

 She similarly noted the pledge for over $50bn in concessional loans to support Africa’s modernisation efforts, including road building and agricultural upgrade over the next three years. 

“This commitment is in addition to China’s zero-tariff policy designed to boost trade volumes with the continent,” the envoy specified, qualifying President Samia's visit to China for the summit and bilateral consultations as a great success.

She met with President Xi where the host president affirmed that China was ready to make Tanzania a demonstration zone for deepening China-Africa high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

 A notable result of the forum was the pledge that China will give least developed countries (LDCs) that maintain diplomatic relations with it, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.

 The central committee session adopted a resolution to advance deeper reforms which the envoy stated could have far-reaching implications, as the resolution aims to promote Chinese modernisation, its economic rejuvenation through a comprehensive approach.

 “The primary driver of Chinese modernisation is the basic need for further, all-encompassing reform to safeguard China’s interests. Looking back, the 11th CPC Central Committee’s third plenary session marked the beginning of a new era marked by reform, opening up and socialist modernization,” she stated.

 The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) said in a recent report that China has maintained its lead in the top 10 foreign investment partners from 1997 to 2024, with 1,360 projects valued at $11.5bn, she added.