On July 23, 2015, the launch ceremony of the book A Monument to China-Africa Friendship: First-hand Account of the Building of Tazara compiled by the Policy Planning Department of the Foreign Ministry was held at the Lanting of the Foreign Ministry. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Tanzanian Ambassador to China Abdulrahman A. Shimbo and Zambian Ambassador to China Getrude Kasuba Mwape delivered a speech respectively. Over 200 people were present, including envoys of African countries in China, witnesses of Tazara, representatives of relevant departments, enterprises and think-tanks as well as Chinese and foreign journalists.

Wang Yi delivered a speech entitled Carry Forward the Tazara Spirit In a Joint Effort to Build a Community of Shared Destiny. He said that Tazara, which was built with Chinese assistance and by the Chinese, Tanzanian and Zambian people together, is known to the world as the Freedom Railway that helped African people gain national independence and liberation, and the Friendship Railway that represents the ever-lasting friendship between the Chinese and African people. It is an enduring monument in the history of China-Africa relations. During his visit to Africa in 2013, President Xi Jinping talked about Tazara in particular and made a special trip to the cemetery of Chinese experts who laid down their lives for the building of Tazara. He stressed the need to carry forward the Tazara spirit and build on past achievements while keeping up with the changing circumstances to make sure that China-Africa friendship and cooperation produce more fruitful results.

Wang Yi pointed out that as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the groundbreaking of Tazara and 40th anniversary of its operation, it is most fitting to publish the book A Monument to China-Africa Friendship: First-hand Account of the Building of Tazara this year. This book provides us with first-hand materials to review the historic feat of the Chinese and African people and new opportunities for us to envision a bright future for the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership for the 21st century. I would like to pay high tribute to all people of the older generation who made contribution to the building of Tazara and the development of China-Africa relations.

Wang Yi stressed that Tazara is truly deserving to be regarded as an enduring monument, as it has made indelible historical contributions to the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggles and to the development and revitalization of eastern and southern Africa and the whole African continent. Moreover, in building the railway, the people of China, Tanzania and Zambia forged the great Tazara spirit, leaving an invaluable asset for the future generations.

The Tazara spirit is about mutual respect and equality. The building of Tazara stood as a testimony to mutual respect and equality between China and Africa. There are no privileges or political strings attached to any assistance or loans provided by China. In building Tazara, Chinese workers lived and worked side by side with local workers, asking for no special treatment. The cooperation among the three countries was conducted in strict accordance with the principles of respect for each other's economic and social systems and non-interference in internal affairs. In fact, what happened has proved that Tazara is by no means a tool used by China to control Tanzania and Zambia as some westerners predicted. On the contrary, it has become a symbol of African countries taking destiny in their own hands and a symbol of equality between the Chinese and African people.

The Tazara spirit is about tenacity and perseverance. With faith, tenacity and perseverance, the governments and people of the three countries overcame numerous difficulties and hardships, and in less than six years completed Tazara, which the colonialists had talked about for decades. Over 160 workers, including more than 60 Chinese, sacrificed their lives. A UN inspection team applauded Tazara as the best railway in Africa. Due to drastic changes in the internal and external environment for its operation, Tazara now faces various difficulties. Yet we have the resolve and confidence to find a fundamental solution through equal-footed and friendly consultation with Tanzania and Zambia to revive Tazara, and upgrade what has served in the past as the freedom and friendship railway to a railway for development and prosperity in the new era, and continue to contribute to the rejuvenation of Africa.

The Tazara spirit is about selfless internationalism. When China made the decision, without hesitation, to help build Tazara in those years, China itself was facing great economic difficulties. China made the decision because we saw Africa as our sincere friend and wanted to contribute our due share to the independence of African nations. Inspired by the Tazara spirit, workers from China, Tanzania and Zambia worked as one family and wrote a heroic chapter of solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Africa on his first foreign trip as head of state in 2013, he stressed the importance of upholding a balanced approach to principles and interests, that is, to provide the less developed countries with best help possible, and always put principles before interests. This is the very manifestation of the Tazara spirit in the new era.

Wang Yi said that Tazara embodies the essence of China-Africa relations and the common aspiration of the Chinese and African people. It also represents the inexhaustible driving force for greater China-Africa cooperation. Under the new conditions, we will carry forward and renew the Tazara spirit and work with African friends to build a China-Africa community of shared destiny and provide a strong impetus to China-Africa cooperation.

Wang Yi pointed out that China will work to align its development strategies with that of Africa. China will act on the policy of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith put forward by President Xi Jinping for our relations with Africa, follow a balanced approach to principles and interests, advance China-Africa cooperation in the six areas identified by Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Africa, transform and upgrade China-Africa cooperation by expanding it from general trade to broader areas such as investment cooperation, and help Africa translate its potential in human talents and resources into strengths for economic growth.

China will support Africa in seeking industrialization and modernization. In African countries' pursuit of political independence, Tazara served as a catalyst. Now, as African countries strive for economic independence through industrialization and modernization, we will, in light of the actual needs of African countries, strengthen industrial cooperation in infrastructure development and manufacturing, and support African countries in building high-speed railway, highway, and regional aviation networks, so as to firmly support our African brothers in attaining this goal.

China will work with Africa to build a China-Africa Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Security. we will firmly support African people in resolving African issues in the African way, implement the "Initiative on China-Africa Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Security", actively support the building of the African collective security mechanism and help African countries enhance their capacity for peacekeeping and combating piracy, thus making a greater contribution to peace and stability in Africa.

China will help Africa improve its public health system. When the Ebola epidemic broke out in West Africa last year, China was the first to send a charter plane carrying assistance supplies to the affected areas. So far, China has provided a total of RMB750 million in assistance to relevant African countries and sent out more than 1,000 medical workers and experts, setting a new record in the history of New China's response to international public health crises in terms of duration, covered area, scale and intensity. We will further leverage our unique strengths to help African countries enhance their disease prevention and control capabilities and improve their public health system.

Wang Yi said in the last that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of FOCAC, which will convene its next meeting in South Africa at the end of this year. China will work with African countries to carry forward the Tazara spirit, identify new measures for deepening all-round practical cooperation, and further substantiate the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa. Working together, we could usher in a better future of win-win cooperation for our people and make fresh and bigger contribution to world peace and development.

Tanzanian Ambassador to China Abdulrahman A. Shimbo said in his speech that Tazara built with the help of China provided a true lifeline for southern and eastern African people's struggle for independence and fight against racism, for which Tanzania will always be grateful. All sides are responsible to carry forward the brotherly affection among China, Tanzania and Zambia and pass down this selfless and heroic feat from generation to generation.

Zambian Ambassador to China Getrude Kasuba Mwape expressed in her speech that Tazara embodies amity, friendship and solidarity between Chinese and African people, and China has always been an all-weather friend of Africa and a partner who is willing to inquire and listen to the needs of African nations. The Zambian government and people will continuously cherish the friendship with China. The African continent will continue to seek China's support while realizing the African Union's Agenda 2063.

A Monument to China-Africa Friendship: First-hand Account of the Building of Tazara, with the total of 220 thousand words consisting of document literature and compilation of dictation by the witnesses, was published by World Affairs Press. It vividly reproduces Tazara's history from decision-making, inspecting, designing and constructing to hand-over. During the launch ceremony, the Foreign Ministry also held a photo exhibition entitled "Tazara Built with the Help of China".