China and Tanzania began joint military exercises on July 24, the same day that U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass arrived for talks on bilateral economic and security relations.
Three Chinese warships arrived in Dar es Salaam yesterday, just after a Chinese naval hospital ship had conducted an official visit on July 16 and administered medical assistance. The military exercise with Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF) marks 60 years of cooperation between China and Tanzania and 60 years of the founding of the TPDF. These will be the fourth joint military exercises since 2014.
Speaking to media in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Commander of the Tanzanian Navy Ameir Ramadhan Hassan said: “We are learning from them, and we believe and trust that these exercises will enhance our military capability. These exercises will involve all units of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, including air, naval, and ground forces, unlike previous exercises that only involved special units,”