Honorable Lieutenant General Salum Haji Othman, Chief of Staff, Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces,
Honorable Rear Admiral Hassan, Tanzania Navy Commander,
Honorable Major General Kodi, Chief of Logistics and Engineering, TPDF,
Honorable Major General Ibuge, Commandant of Tanzania National Defence College,
Excellencies,
My Fellow Chinese Nationals,
Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Habari za jioni!

First of all, please allow me to express my sincere appreciation to you for joining us to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

This celebration is a venue to review the history of Chinese PLA, which was created by the Communist Party of China on 1st August 1927. During the past 98 years, the Chinese PLA has made indelible achievements in realizing national independence, liberating the Chinese people, and making China prosperous and strong. In recent years, Chinese PLA has been steadfast on the way to realize the centenary goal in 2027. It has intensified troop training and enhanced combat preparedness across the board, accelerated the transformation and upgrading of military training, strengthened new-domain forces with new combat capabilities, and enhanced the ability to win informatized and intelligent warfare. Meanwhile, Chinese PLA also made significant contribution to world peace and stability, actively participating in international peacekeeping operations, maritime escort operations, international humanitarian assistance operations, bilateral and multilateral exchange and cooperation.

On the way ahead, Chinese PLA will firmly uphold the sole and strong leadership of CPC, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the military and speed up the modernization process, continue to be an unflinching force to protect China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests, and safeguard world peace and tranquility.

Dear Generals, Officers, Excellencies and My Fellow Compatriots, 

As we commemorate the 98th anniversary of Chinese PLA, I would like to avail this opportunity to honor the deep, broad and robust relations between China and Tanzania. China has always regarded Tanzania as our best friend, and placed the development of friendly relations with Tanzania in an important position in our foreign relations. China-Tanzania traditional friendship is forged by our older generation of leaders of the two countries, including Chairman Mao Zedong and President Julius Nyerere. From the struggles for national liberation, to the pursuit of national rejuvenation, and to the march towards modernization, we have always stood together through thick and thin, and supported each other, thus tightening our bilateral bond stronger and stronger and pushing our bilateral relations higher and higher.

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Over the past 61 years China-Tanzania relations have always stood at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation. In September 2024 when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, he pointed out that China-Tanzania relations are in line with the historical trend of the growth of the Global South, carrying significant conceptual value and playing a leading role, China is ready to work with Tanzania to make bilateral relations a model for China-Africa relations and Global South cooperation, and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Over the past 61 years, our political mutual trust has been deepened. Our state leaders kept frequent and regular meetings. The two heads of state met three times in the last three years. Our relationship has been elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. We support each other on the issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. Tanzania has kept its firm adherence to one-China principle. 

Over the past 61 years, our practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, covering a wide range of fields such as industries, agriculture, infrastructure, medical and health care, etc. China has remained Tanzania’s biggest trading partner for nine consecutive years and also the biggest source country of foreign investment for many years. Major projects undertaken by Chinese companies including the Standard Gauge Railway are making steady progress. The recently inaugurated Magufuli Bridge, which was built by Chinese Company, is a landmark project for both China and Tanzania.

Over the past 61 years, our people-to-people ties have grown stronger. Confucius Institutes were established in the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of Dodoma. And the Chinese classes were provided in Zanzibar State University. More Tanzanian primary and secondary schools set up Chinese classes. At the same time, Kiswahili courses are also offered by many Chinese universities. Last year over 70, 000 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania, which contributes greatly to the local tourism.

Meanwhile, for the past 61 years, Chinese PLA and Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces (TPDF) have been enjoying a stable, close and jovial relationship. We have constantly cooperated and exchanged in high-level visits, joint exercises, infrastructure construction, equipment and training, and yielded fruitful results. Last year, Honorable Dr. Stergomena Tax, Minister of Defence and National Service, visited China. Chinese PLA and TPDF conducted Amani Umoja 2024 joint exercise, which was the largest scale ever. Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship Ark Peace visited Tanzania, making Tanzania the first African country that has been visited three times. Looking to the future, China will continue to provide assistance and support to TPDF modernization efforts, strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange to jointly create a model for China-Africa security cooperation.

1st September will be the 61st anniversary of TPDF. I commend the TPDF for the glorious achievements you have made and congratulate you happy 61st anniversary in advance.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of victory of Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War. The victory is the great triumph won by the Chinese people fighting side by side with the anti-fascist allies and people of other countries. Based on the painful awareness of history, China will unwaveringly take the path of peaceful development, unwaveringly follow the open strategy of mutual benefits and win-win results, unwaveringly develop friendly cooperation with all countries and unwaveringly maintain world peace. A stronger and more developed China will surely mean a stronger force for world peace.

History taught us that peace is hard won and must be defended. The world today is far from tranquil. It is our sincere hope that all countries draw more wisdom and strength from history, stick to peaceful development and work together to open up a promising future for world peace. All countries should foster a sense of a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly uphold the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation.

To conclude, I would like to invite you to join me in a toast:

To the 98th anniversary of the Chinese PLA,

To the ever-growing friendship between China and Tanzania and between the Chinese PLA and TPDF,

To the 61st anniversary of TPDF in advance,

To peace and development of the whole world.

Cheers!