China is closely associated with two railroads in Tanzania, which, built in different phases in the east African country's history, bear witness to a strengthening China-Tanzania friendship.

Several hundred Chinese laborers were brought to Tanzania under false pretences, while the country was under German colonial rule, at the end of the 19th century. They toiled on the Tanganyika railway, and many lost their lives in its construction.

In the 1960s-1970s, the Chinese government sent thousands of engineers and construction workers to help build the railroad linking Tanzania and Zambia after both had recently shaken off their colonial rulers.

Many Chinese workers and specialists never returned home -- they were buried in a special cemetery for the "Chinese experts."

The construction for the 1860-km broad gauge Tanzania-Zambia railway, which has been called a "road of friendship" by local people, started in October 1970 in Tanzania and Zambia, and was completed in June 1975, taking four years and eight months to complete, while it had taken the Germans two decades to finish the first railroad in Tanzania, a 352-km narrow gauge rail link.

Some 50,000 Chinese traveled thousands of miles to help with the construction efforts and 65 of them lost lives in the process.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tanzania-Zambia railroad's first being used. For 30 years, China has kept up technological support for its operation. Five Chinese who were involved died over that period.

The team leader of Chinese experts, Du Jian, worked in Tanzania for 18 years, and his wife, Sun Xiaojun, also spent 13 years in the country working for the smooth functioning of the railroad.

They were not alone. A lot of Chinese workers and specialists stayed in Tanzania for over 10 years.

Apart from personnel support, the Chinese government also provided funds, equipment and materials for the maintenance and up-grading of the railroad.

Since it came into use, the railroad has provided service for 39.11 million passengers, and carried approximately 24.35 million tons of cargo. It has become one of the main trunk lines in southeastern Africa, and a key link connecting railroads in countries of the region.

It has facilitated the easy flow of agricultural products along its route, which has put extra value on the products. Ease of travel has offered more working opportunities for local people, and the railway has also brought advanced agricultural material and medical services for people living around it.

Source: Xinhua