DAR ES SALAAM: Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, has once again highlighted China’s unwavering commitment to child health and welfare in Tanzania, describing children as not only the nation’s future but also the living bridge of friendship between China and Tanzania.
The Ambassador made these remarks during a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the “China–Africa Together for Children’s Love” health outreach programme at Zaidia Orphanage in Dar es Salaam. The initiative, which has attracted attention across Africa, focuses on providing comprehensive healthcare support to underprivileged children, ensuring that no child is left behind due to lack of medical attention.
Addressing a gathering that included orphanage staff, volunteers, and children, Ambassador Chen expressed her joy at returning to the orphanage two years after the programme’s launch.
“Two years ago, we gathered here to launch the China–Africa Together for Children’s Love initiative, which aimed to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable children in Tanzania. Today, we are thrilled to return and see these children thriving, healthy, and full of potential,” she said, eliciting smiles from staff and children alike.
Ambassador Chen praised the tireless efforts of the orphanage’s management and staff, led by Director Ms Zaida Hassan. “Because of your dedication, compassion, and sometimes superhuman patience, the children here are able to grow up healthy, happy, and hopeful. You’ve made it possible for them to dream bigger,” she said, eliciting quiet chuckles from those who understood the challenges of running an orphanage.
She emphasized that China remains a sincere and dependable partner of Tanzania. Ambassador Chen highlighted the longstanding engagement of Professor Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has actively promoted health initiatives for women and children across Africa.
In 2023, Professor Peng formally proposed launching the China–Africa Together for Children’s Love initiative in collaboration with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, coinciding with International Children’s Day on June 1-a date she described as perfect for celebrating the future of nations through their children.
Tanzania, Ambassador Chen noted, has been a key participant in the initiative, receiving donations of essential supplies, including food and educational materials, while also benefiting from medical services provided by the Chinese Medical Team stationed in Tanzania.
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“Returning here, I am deeply moved,” she said. “Seeing the children we supported growing stronger and more confident fills me with joy. Their bright eyes, hopeful smiles, and occasional cheeky questions remind us why we do this work, children are the future of a nation and the hope of society.”
The Ambassador added that Tanzanian children are also the living embodiment of the enduring friendship between China and Tanzania. “Every child here is not only a future citizen of Tanzania but also a young ambassador of friendship between our two countries,” she said, earning warm applause from the audience.
During the ceremony, China donated medicines, food, and other essential supplies to the orphanage, reinforcing its commitment to child welfare.
Ambassador Chen also highlighted the work of the medical team, led by specialists in pediatrics, ophthalmology, cardiology, and dermatology, who conducted thorough medical examinations and offered guidance to orphanage staff on preventive healthcare measures. In a lighter moment, she joked, “With this team around, if a child so much as catches a sniffle, we can diagnose it, treat it, and probably write a small research paper on it before lunchtime!”
Reflecting on China’s long-standing cooperation with Tanzania in medical and health services, Ambassador Chen said China has been dispatching medical teams to Tanzania and Zanzibar since the country’s independence. The first Chinese medical team arrived in Zanzibar in 1964, with mainland deployments following from 1968.
“For more than half a century, this cooperation has never stopped,” she emphasized.
To date, 35 Chinese medical teams have served in Zanzibar and 27 in mainland Tanzania, collectively treating nearly two million patients while supporting local hospitals by filling technical and professional gaps. Many of the current team members participating in the outreach include experienced pediatric surgeons and specialists, ready to provide expert guidance for children’s healthcare.
Ambassador Chen also reflected on the historical foundations of China–Tanzania relations, noting the strong bonds forged by Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and Tanzania’s founding President Julius Nyerere. These relationships, she said, laid the groundwork for a partnership that has endured through decades and continues to expand, now encompassing child health initiatives and broader cooperation programs.
She further cited outcomes of the recent Forum on China–Africa Cooperation held in Beijing, where President Xi Jinping announced new areas of collaboration, including the Health Partnership Initiative aimed at improving healthcare delivery and outcomes across Africa.
“In this new era, China is ready to work even more closely with Tanzania to protect children, strengthen health services, and write new chapters in our long-standing friendship,” Ambassador Chen said.
She concluded her remarks by wishing the children health, strength, confidence, and success.
“May you grow up to become contributors to your country’s development and ambassadors of friendship between China and Tanzania,” she said, prompting enthusiastic applause from children and staff alike.
On his part, Dr. Bao Zengtao, Captain of the Chinese Medical Team in Tanzania, expressed pride in participating in the anniversary event. He described the initiative as a “powerful symbol of friendship and shared responsibility” between the two countries. Dr. Bao emphasized that the medical team prioritizes vulnerable children, ensuring access to timely and high-quality healthcare.
“Our mission is not only to treat illnesses but also to protect life and support healthy growth,” he said. “Children are the future of families, communities, and nations, and it is our duty to make sure they have every opportunity to thrive.”
Dr. Bao explained that during the outreach, the team conducted medical examinations, provided treatment advice, and offered guidance on nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention. They also focused on early detection of conditions that could impact long-term health.
“In short, we try to catch problems before they catch the children,” he joked lightly, drawing laughter from the
audience.
He underscored that cooperation between Chinese and Tanzanian health professionals has strengthened over the years, improving medical capacity, sharing expertise, and fostering mutual learning. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to sustained collaboration, ensuring that more children grow up healthy, confident, and hopeful.
Following the event, Mr. Chu Kun, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, visited Ashura Orphanage Foundation in Vingunguti, Dar es Salaam, where he expressed delight in meeting the children and staff, emphasizing that orphans are a vital part of society’s future.
“Supporting these children’s health, education, and well-being is a shared responsibility,” he said. “Through donations of food, medicine, and educational materials, we hope to bring comfort, joy, and opportunity to their lives.” With a smile, he added, “And perhaps a little extra fun, because childhood should always have room for laughter.”
Mr. Chu reaffirmed China’s commitment to vulnerable children in Tanzania, stressing that every child deserves a healthy, happy, and hopeful childhood. He called on both governments and communities to continue working together to ensure that every child has access to quality healthcare, nutrition, and educational opportunities.
The visits and outreach events are part of a broader effort by China to support child health and welfare across Tanzania, building on decades of medical cooperation that have benefited millions.
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From Zanzibar to Mwanza to Dar es Salaam, the message is clear: China stands with Tanzania in nurturing its children, investing not only in their health but in the future of the nation and the enduring friendship between the two countries.
As the ceremonies concluded, children played, laughed, and engaged with the visiting diplomats and medical teams, a living testament to the initiative’s impact. Ambassador Chen, Dr. Bao, and Mr. Chu left the orphanages with renewed commitment and a touch of humor, reminding everyone present that while policy, cooperation, and medicine are serious business, the happiness and hope of children remain the ultimate reward.
With over two years of successful implementation, the China–Africa Together for Children’s Love initiative continues to grow, fostering goodwill, improving healthcare delivery, and giving Tanzanian children a brighter, healthier, and more hopeful future.