The military relationship between China and Tanzania, which began in 1964, has evolved into an exceptional case on the African continent. More than 90 % of Tanzanian weaponry comes from China, and its military doctrine is directly inspired by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). This alliance has withstood decades of geopolitical change, establishing itself as one of the strongest and most enduring in Africa.
According to the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, this unique link has no equivalent on the continent. China not only trained the Tanzanian army from its inception after an internal crisis, but also built key facilities such as air bases, naval bases and military academies. This cooperation is reinforced by frequent joint manoeuvres, most recently in 2024 with massive deployments on land and sea.
Experts such as David Shinn and Tim Zajontz point out that, despite Chinese attempts to expand its military influence in Africa, no country matches the degree of trust, dependence and continuity that Tanzania offers.
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