the old generation in this country who were around during the maiden visit of Mwalimu Nyerere to China would remember how modestly Mwalimu chose to appear after that visit - discarding western suits; complete with neckties and opting for simple collarless shirts then known as 'Chou en Lai' by ordinary people here!

As enticed, the maiden visit by the Founding Father of the Tanzanian nation to the socialist People's Republic of China under the leadership of Chairman Mao then, had great influence, not only culturally but ideologically too.

A few years after independence in 1961, Mwalimu Nyerere had in 1967 declared the Arusha Declaration - as the country's blue print towards Socialism and Self-reliance. His visit to socialist China a few years later then solidified and deepened Tanzania's ideological thrust.

Itwas from this ideological base then that Tanzania and China from that time to this date resolved to work together, starting with China's contribution to the liberation struggle against apartheid and minority rule in southern Africa.

As most Tanzanians and Chinese adore, China's immediate contribution to the liberation struggle in Africa was its agreement to build a railway line between Tanzania and landlocked Zambia, bordering the then apartheid and minority-ruled countries of Southern Africa.

This railway line - TAZARA - was designed to lessen independent Zambia's neighbourhood dependence on the then apartheid state of South Africa and Rhodesia now Zimbabwe. It had greater impact too - improve transport connection

and goods movement from landlocked Zambia to Tanzanian harbours.

Its construction was thanks to the immense sacrifice by Chinese people ferried here by