Zambia opens memorial for Chinese railway workers who died building Africa’s Tazara line

[beijingwalker]

Zambia opens memorial for Chinese railway workers who died building Africa’s Tazara line​

Aug 23, 2022

A memorial park opened in Zambia’s capital Lusaka on August 10, 2022, to honour Chinese workers who died during construction of the Tanzania-Zambia (Tazara) railway. The rail line has been critical to Zambia, in part as an export link to move copper from the landlocked nation to seaports in Tanzania.

It was also China’s largest foreign aid project in Africa ever, after Beijing stepped in to fund the railway after neighbouring white-controlled territories cut off previously used routes. Nearly 50,000 Chinese worked on the project and more than 160 died during construction which lasted from 1970 to 1975.

 

[beijingwalker]

Nearly 50,000 Chinese worked on the project and more than 160 died during construction which lasted from 1970 to 1975.

Don't know why the casualties can be this high for building this railway, the conditions must be extremely harsh back then 50 years ago.

 

[sammuel]

Zambia opens memorial for Chinese railway workers who died building Africa’s Tazara line​

Aug 23, 2022

A memorial park opened in Zambia’s capital Lusaka on August 10, 2022, to honour Chinese workers who died during construction of the Tanzania-Zambia (Tazara) railway. The rail line has been critical to Zambia, in part as an export link to move copper from the landlocked nation to seaports in Tanzania.

It was also China’s largest foreign aid project in Africa ever, after Beijing stepped in to fund the railway after neighbouring white-controlled territories cut off previously used routes. Nearly 50,000 Chinese worked on the project and more than 160 died during construction which lasted from 1970 to 1975.

why now ?

 

[beijingwalker]

why now ?

China just cancelled their debt again

China agrees landmark debt relief deal for Zambia

Agreement between official creditors paves way for IMF bailout and sets precedent for other troubled economies

www.ft.com

 

[sammuel]

China just cancelled their debt again

China agrees landmark debt relief deal for Zambia

Agreement between official creditors paves way for IMF bailout and sets precedent for other troubled economies

www.ft.com

thanks

 

[beijingwalker]

Almost every Chinese in older generation remembers the Tanzania-Zambia (Tazara) railway, China exausted all her funds to build that railway in early 1970's. There used to be a popular catchphrase back then " To see what China can do the best, go to Africa".