Over the past two decades, China has considerably broadened its military and security diplomacy throughout Africa, establishing ties with 53 countries, excluding eSwatini.
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Observers say that of those countries, Tanzania stands out as an exceptionally strong and enduring military partner for Beijing, with more than 90 per cent of its military arms from China.
According to a study released last month by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, Tanzania has “a very special relationship” with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), “one you will not find in any other African country”.
Tanzania’s military inventory, order of battle, battle doctrine and service doctrine are heavily inspired by the PLA, according to the study.
“This enduring influence stems from the PLA’s involvement in setting up and building the Tanzania People’s Defence Force from 1964 to the present day, which fully explains their unique bond,” said Paul Nantulya, a China-Africa specialist from the National Defence University’s Africa Centre for Strategic Studies in Washington and the author of the study.
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Tanzania is among African nations – including Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe – where liberation movement parties have monopolised power since independence, and these nations have the closest ties with China on the continent.