After the independence of Tanzania and Zambia in 196 1 and 1964 respectively, it is urgent to find another new transportation route in order to develop the national economy, support the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle of the people in southern Africa and strive for national liberation, and get rid of the dependence on the southern sea passage under the racist regime of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. Tanzania and Zambia initially sought the help of western powers and the then Soviet Union to build railways, but both were rejected.

1965 In February, Tanzanian President Nyerere visited China for the first time. When meeting with the Chinese side, he expressed the hope that China would help build the Tanzania-Zambia Railway. From the strategic perspective of supporting African countries to strive for and safeguard national independence, develop national economy and actively develop friendly and cooperative relations between China and third world countries, China * * agreed to build this railway. During Zambian President kaunda's visit to China in June, he also asked the government of China about the construction of Tanzania-Zambia railway. China made it clear that as long as the Tanzanian and Zambian presidents make up their minds, China is willing to invest in construction, and stressed that this is a support for the African people's struggle against imperialism and colonialism for national independence, and also helps African countries to develop their national economies and consolidate their national independence. Shortly after President kaunda's visit to China, Tanzania and Zambia immediately formed a government delegation to China to discuss related matters. 1967 in September, the delegations of the governments of China, Tanzania and Zambia held talks in Beijing, and formally signed the agreement between the governments of People's Republic of China (PRC), the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia on the construction of Tanzania? Zambia Railway Agreement.

Tanzania-Zambia Railway is one of the largest foreign aid projects in China so far. The railway starts from Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, in the east, and ends in New Kabiri Mboshi, Zambia, in the west, with a total length of 1.860 km. Experts and engineers from China carried out survey, inspection and design, and helped Tanzanian and Zambian governments to organize construction. The railway runs through some mountains, canyons, fast-flowing rivers and dense virgin forests in Tanzania and Zambia. The foundations of some roadbeds, bridges and tunnels are made of silt and quicksand. Many areas along the railway are barren and inhabited by wild animals. The whole project is huge in scale, complex in technology and extremely difficult in construction conditions. 320 bridges have been built along the whole line, with a total extension line of16520m; 22 tunnels with a total length of 8898 meters; Building 93 stations; The total construction area is 376,000 square meters. The survey and design of this project started in May 1968, officially started in June 1970, and was completed and handed over in July 1976. In order to build this railway, the China Municipal Government provided 988 million yuan of interest-free loans, transported nearly 6,543,800 tons of various equipment and materials, and dispatched nearly 50,000 engineers and technicians. During the peak period, there were as many as 6,543,800+6,000 employees in China. In the process of project construction and follow-up technical cooperation, 64 China people gave their lives. After the railway is completed, it will be handed over to the railway bureau composed of Tanzania and Zambia. Subsequently, in order to ensure the normal operation of the railway, China continued to provide interest-free loans, provide technical cooperation assistance, and send experts and technicians to participate in management or provide consultation. By the end of 1999, nearly 3,000 experts had been sent.

After the completion of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, it became the main traffic trunk line connecting Tanzania and Zambia, providing a new and reliable sea passage for Zambia to export copper, breaking the blockade of the racist regime in South Africa at that time and ensuring Zambia's main source of income. For more than 20 years, Tanzania-Zambia Railway has promoted economic development and material exchange between urban and rural areas. Many new towns have sprung up along the railway and become the political, economic and cultural centers of various regions. At the same time, this railway has also played a positive role in supporting the national liberation struggle in southern Africa. Nyerere spoke highly of China's aid to Tanzania-Zambia Railway as "a great contribution to the African people". "Historically, foreigners built railways in Africa to plunder Africa's wealth, while China people helped us develop the national economy on the contrary." President kaunda praised: "A friend in need is a friend indeed. When we faced the most difficult moment, it was China who helped us. " People in Tanzania and Zambia, and even Africa as a whole, call Tanzania-Zambia Railway "the road to freedom" and "the model of South-South cooperation".