LUSAKA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held on Tuesday in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the commercial operation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA).
Held under the theme of "TAZARA@50: From Liberation to Transformation," the ceremony marked the culmination of a month-long series of celebration activities held in Zambia and Tanzania.
Describing TAZARA as a road of friendship, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing said the TAZARA revitalization project undertaken by the three countries is transforming the railway into a more efficient, better-connected railway that offers broader opportunities.
"The project will help create jobs, facilitate trade, improve livelihoods and bring fresh vitality to communities along the railway corridor," he said.
Cynthia Balengu, director of human resources at Zambia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics, commended the current leadership of the three countries for their commitment to revitalizing and modernizing TAZARA, saying the political will and shared vision have breathed new life into the railway.
TAZARA will continue to serve future generations as a catalyst for regional integration, trade and economic transformation, she added.
Built with Chinese assistance in the 1970s, TAZARA began its commercial operations in 1976 and remains a vital transport corridor for regional trade and connectivity in Africa. ■