Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: July 09,2024
By David Rugero
China has been collaborating with different African countries since the early days of pre-independence for these countries. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and newly independent African nations occurred primarily between 1960s and 1970, a period that can be traced back to the Bandung Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, from April 18 to 24, 1955. This significant conference convened representatives from 29 Asian and African countries, including prominent figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia), and Zhou Enlai (China). The primary objective of this gathering was to foster economic and cultural collaboration while simultaneously opposing colonialism and neocolonialism within their respective regions.
The objectives of the Bandung conference encompassed promoting Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation, opposing colonialism and neocolonialism by any nation, encouraging independence movements within the colonies in Africa and Asia, and deliberating on peace and the role of the developing world in the context of the Cold War.
The “Ten Principles of Bandung” were approved at the conference. They emphasized the significance of upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity, abstaining from interference in internal matters, advocating for racial equality, and fostering peaceful coexistence. These principles laid the groundwork for establishing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.
The formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) signaled a pivotal moment in the collective voice of newly independent nations and those in pursuit of independence. It underscored the significance of collaboration among developing countries, signifying a watershed in the annals of international relations by accentuating the value of unity among developing nations.
Premier Zhou Enlai’s visit to Africa in 1963-1964 represented a significant diplomatic endeavor that underscored China’s collaboration with the African continent during the Cold War era. This diplomatic mission was characterized by China’s endorsement of African nations’ efforts to combat colonialism and imperialism. Premier Zhou sought to foster solidarity with newly independent countries and those still struggling for independence. The primary objective of the tour was to initiate and reinforce diplomatic and economic ties between China and African nations.
China has provided economic aid and technical support to several African nations, encompassing infrastructure development, agricultural assistance, and specialized training. This underscores China’s dedication to fostering African progress. Zhou Enlai championed the Non-Aligned Movement and the solidarity of Third World countries, advocating for principles such as mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in internal matters, equality, and mutual benefit. This initiative facilitated cultural exchanges and interpersonal connections, nurturing enhanced comprehension and goodwill between China and African states.
By engaging with African leaders, Zhou Enlai sought to strengthen Sino-African relations and the tour highlighted China’s proactive foreign policy approach of mutual cooperation and solidarity among the developing world.
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) project is one of the most significant early Chinese aid projects to African countries, exemplifying China’s commitment to infrastructure development in Africa during the Cold War era. TAZARA has a rich history of evolution that faced numerous challenges. The idea for the railway was proposed in the 1960s to connect the landlocked Zambia with the Tanzanian port of Dar esSalaam, facilitating access to international markets. After being rejected by Western financiers, Tanzania and Zambia turned to China. In 1967, China agreed to finance and construct the railway, seeing it as an opportunity to support economic development in the Southern African nations but also playing a significant role in helping anti-colonial movements in Africa.
Construction of TAZARA began in 1970 and was completed in 1975. The railway spans about 1,860 kilometers (1,160 miles) from Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. It officially opened in 1976.
In its early years, TAZARA was crucial in transporting goods, especially Zambian copper, bypassing routes controlled by apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The railway initially benefited from Chinese engineers and managers who ensured smooth operations and maintenance. When the Chinese left, the railway encountered maintenance and management challenges.
Between the 1990s and 2000s, the railway faced economic challenges. The end of the Cold War and the decline in copper prices affected TAZARA’s profitability. The railway suffered from underinvestment, leading to deteriorating infrastructure and unreliable services as well as administrative challenges.
However, China has recently supported the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) to improve its operations. China has committed to investing over $1 billion to rejuvenate the TAZARA railway. This investment aims to modernize the aging infrastructure and enhance the railway’s efficiency, ultimately stimulating regional trade and economic opportunities.
The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a subsidiary of the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), is conducting a comprehensive review of TAZARA’s operational and business models. This review, aims to provide an optimized rehabilitation proposal to improve the railway’s capacity and efficiency. Local engineers and other technical staff to run the SGR have been trained both locally and in China to acquire the necessary skills for the smooth operation of the railway.
An initiative to modernize the railway to a standard gauge has been undertaken. A 300km section of the Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project connecting Dar es Salaam port city to Morogoro havefor the first time electrified line. The initial SGR train services between Dar es Salaam and Morogorocommenced on June 14, 2024, while regular operations between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma is expected to start on July 25, 2024, according to Tanzania government officials. The maiden SGR electric train services from Dar to Morogoro consisted of 14 carriages, including 11 standard class and three business class, carrying a total 1,400 passengers.
The SGR electric trains are expected to cut the travel time between Dar and Morogoro to about two hours from the current four-hour journey by bus and five hours by train on the old metre gauge railway. This development is particularly welcome given the project’s history of persistent delays since 2017. The SGR aims to connect Tanzania with neighbouringBurundi, fostering regional trade and integration, movement of good and people as well as boosting industrial development.
The SGR will connect strategic locations such as industrial parks, inland container depots, and major population centres. This connectivity is expected to reduce reliance on the current road trucking system, which is more prone to accidents and largely to blame for high road maintenance costs. The anticipated reduction in road traffic may also lead to a decrease in transportation-related emissions, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
These efforts to modernize TAZARA are part of China’s ongoing initiatives under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reflecting its commitment to promoting development cooperation and connectivity in Africa leading to improved economies and the living standards of the people.
David Rugero is dedicated to promoting social well-being, economic development, and Pan-African unity. He has keen interest in Sino-Africa partnerships formutual gain and shared progress. He is the author of “The End of Black Folly,” a novel published in 2021, which is about a cultural revival crusade by Black Africans and the African Diaspora.
