STORY: TAZARA Memorial Park inaugurated in Zambia, honoring Chinese contributions, sacrifice
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 10, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 11, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:02
LOCATION: Lusaka
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the TAZARA Memorial Park
2. various of Wang Sheng, the Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy laying wreaths during the ceremony.
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WANG SHENG, Minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia
4. various of the officials attending the ceremony at the TAZARA Memorial Park
5. various of Evans Muhanga, the Permanent Secretary in Zambia's Ministry of Tourism
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): EVANS MUHANGA, Permanent secretary, Zambia's Ministry of Tourism
7. various of a performance by the dance troupe
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LIAO JIANFENG, Managing director of CCECC in Southern Africa
9. various of people queuing up to lay wreaths

STORYLINE:

A ceremony to officially inaugurate the TAZARA Memorial Park, built to honor Chinese nationals who lost their lives during the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) line, was held Tuesday in Chongwe District, east of Lusaka, Zambia's capital.
   
The event brought together Zambian government officials and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the company responsible for constructing both the railway line and the memorial park.
   
Wang Sheng, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said the opening of the memorial park could not have come at a more opportune time, as it serves to carry forward the TAZARA spirit for generations to come.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WANG SHENG, Minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia
"The friendship between China and Zambia was cemented by blood and sweat. More than 60 Chinese workers and engineers lost their lives, and 36 are laid to rest here, the youngest of them not even 22. This is what we call the TAZARA spirit, a bond beyond space and time that still serve as an inspiring and driving force for China-Zambia and China-Africa cooperation today."
   
Evans Muhanga, permanent secretary in Zambia's Ministry of Tourism, described the memorial park as a testament to the shared history and sacrifices of the two countries and their people. He noted that its official opening would make the site more accessible to the public, allowing a broader appreciation of its cultural and historical significance.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): EVANS MUHANGA, Permanent secretary, Zambia's Ministry of Tourism
"Until now, access to this significant site has been limited to prior bookings, restricting the number of visitors who could experience its profound historical and cultural significance. This site embodies valuable virtues that contribute to building strong communities and achieving collective success. These virtues include cooperation, hard work, teamwork, resilience, and endurance."

Liao Jianfeng, managing director of CCECC in Southern Africa, said the construction of the memorial park has attracted much attention from China and Zambia, noting that the friendship between the two countries will be witnessed by many people near and far.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LIAO JIANFENG, Managing director of CCECC in Southern Africa
"Henceforward, the friendship between Zambia, Tanzania and China will be witnessed by everyone near and far. Hereby, people from all walks of life especially the younger generations are encouraged to visit the TAZARA Memorial Park and pay homage to the martyrs and learn more about the glorious history among the three countries' side-by-side struggles. As a historical monument of China-Africa friendship, TAZARA Railway has a profound impact on the continuous political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between Zambia, Tanzania and China."
   
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)