Zambia: Minister of Veterans Affairs of the People’s Republic of China – Pei Jinjia was cordially welcomed by the Permanent Secretary of Tourism – Evans Muhanga on the Zambian land, last week on Saturday, June 29, 2024
Reportedly, it was a reciprocated visit of the visit by Minister of Tourism – Rodney Sikumba who travelled to Beijing, China in May 2024, in order to officially launch 2024 as the Year of Tourism and culture between Zambia and China.
Through this significant visit, Minister Pei holded bilateral talks and discussions with the counterparts from the Tourism and Defence, as they commemorated the long and strong 60 years of friendship and bond between Zambia and China. The commemoration also honoured the heroes, these were the ones who played a pivotal role in establishing the TAZARA Railway and now celebrated with a TAZARA Museum as a heritage site dedicated to the veterans.
The Minister of Veterans Affairs of the People’s Republic of China – Pei Jinjia as well as Zambian government officials led by Director of Tourism – Dr. Andrew Chilufya, toured the TAZARA Museum and laid wreaths in honor of the heroes who contributed to the building of the TAZARA Railway.
Zambia commissioned a memorial park is built in honor of Chinese nationals who died during the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Line (TAZARA) in the 1970. The Park was attended by the Zambian President – Hakainde Hichilema and the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia – Du Xiaohui.
TAZARA Memorial Park is constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) that consists of a museum of photographs. It also takes care of the graves of 36 Chinese engineers and workers, the ones who died during the construction of the 1,860 km railway line, which links Zambia and Tanzania.
Layout of the Memorial Park is dominating Chinese Knot, when viewed from above and which is a traditional Chinese cultural symbol for eternity.
Notably, the commissioning ceremony started with a tour of the museum as well as the laying of wreaths in honor of the fallen heroes.
Making his statement, the president of Zambia extended his gratitude to the workers from the three countries who sacrificed their lives to build the railway line. He said that it was incumbent upon the current generations to reflect on the sacrifices made by ensuring that the railway line was revitalized.
He added that during his recent visit to Tanzania, the two governments has reaffirmed on their part that their resolve to ensure the railway line was revitalized in partnership with China. He added that the present generation had a duty to carry on the spirit exhibited during the construction of the railway line by being committed to duty.
Zambian President further added to his statement that the best way to remember the foreign heroes is to revive ‘TAZARA’. He emphasised that the memorial park will become one of Zambia’s key tourists attraction centres and directed the ministry to be responsible for tourism to ensure that it becomes part of the country’s tourism package.
