His Excellency Wang Yi, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, has arrived in Dar es Salaam for an official working visit of two (2) days, from 9 to 10 January 2026.
Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, His Excellency Wang Yi was received by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), in the company of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Dr. Ngwaru Maghembe, Hon. James Milya, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dr. Samwel Shelukindo, and other senior Government officials.
The visit is intended to further strengthen and deepen the strategic partnership between the United Republic of Tanzania and the People’s Republic of China. It also aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation through the promotion of economic relations and the exploration of new opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
During the visit, His Excellency Wang Yi is scheduled to hold official consultations with his counterpart, His Excellency Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, with a view to advancing diplomatic engagement and further consolidating strategic cooperation between the two countries. His Excellency Wang Yi will also pay a courtesy call on Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, at State House in Dar es Salaam, during which he will convey special greetings from His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
The United Republic of Tanzania and the People’s Republic of China continue to enjoy long-standing cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, and infrastructure development. In 2024, the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately USD 5.2 billion. Furthermore, Chinese enterprises have continued to invest in Tanzania across key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, services, transport, telecommunications, and tourism. In 2025, the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) registered 343 Chinese projects valued at USD 3.1 billion, which generated 82,404 employment opportunities.
Cooperation between the two countries also extends to the transport infrastructure sector, notably through the historic TAZARA Railway, which remains a significant symbol of friendship and partnership. The railway covers a total distance of 1,860 kilometres, of which 975 kilometres are located in Tanzania and 885 kilometres in Zambia, and continues to stand as an enduring legacy of solidarity and shared development.
This visit further underscores the enduring and historic relations between the United Republic of Tanzania and the People’s Republic of China, founded on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation for over six decades. The foundation of this partnership was laid by the late founding leaders of the two nations, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and Chairman Mao Zedong, and continues to be strengthened by the leadership of both countries.
Issued in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
10 January 2026
