Chapter 4 Article 3 China's Heat Wave Sweeps Africa

When Zhou Enlai just returned to Beijing, Arafat, a young man with shaggy hair and big forehead, came to China (Although Arafat was born in Cairo, Palestine does not belong to Africa geographically, but Arafat’s first visit to China was carried out under the influence of Zhou Enlai’s visit to North Africa, and the Palestinian issue is also closely related to the Arab countries in North Africa, so the author also wrote this chapter.) In late March 1964, when Zhou Enlai, who had just returned to Beijing, was busy preparing a long summary report on his visit to Africa, two young Palestinians also came to Beijing.Among them was a short man with shaggy hair, a broad forehead, and a lot of talk. He was the famous Arafat today.The other is his comrade Khalil?Wazir.

The two young people came to Tiananmen Square, and under the guidance of their hosts, they visited the Monument to the Martyrs of the People's Revolution.Arafat said: New China was built by successive generations of talented people. After walking across the Jinshui Bridge and looking up at the portrait of Mao Zedong hanging on the Tiananmen Gate, Arafat said: I heard many friends talking about Mao Zedong in Algeria. Mao Zedong gave Algerian soldiers weapons. Political power, Mao Zedong’s book also taught people to fight guerrilla warfare. What attracted Arafat to overcome difficulties and come all the way to China was that he thought and yearned to build his own country through armed revolutionary struggle just like China.

He is a Palestinian born in Cairo with strong nationalist feelings.His parents had emigrated from Gaza to Cairo, figuring it was a covert deportation by the British.At the age of eighteen, he was involved in smuggling guns and ammunition from Egypt to arm the Palestinians and participated in the pitched battle against the Jews in Gaza.He met Khalil in a secret and tense battle?Wazir, both advocated the use of armed struggle to save Palestine, had the same views, and immediately became confidantes.Both were passionate young men full of dedication and strongly advocated continuous military action against Israel.Khalil?Under the pretense of organizing a sports club, Wazir set up a commando team, conducted secret military training, and used landmines and explosives to attack Israeli patrol vehicles and military vehicles.Once during a secret raid, the iron box mines they made were seized, and Wazir went to an Egyptian prison.Arafat brokered Wazir's release through the Cairo elite.

During the Suez Canal War in the autumn and winter of 1956, Arafat voluntarily joined the Egyptian army as a second lieutenant and led Egypt's first unexploded ordnance disposal team into Port Said until after the war ended.Afterwards, Arafat and Wazir came to Kuwait for a meeting. The two felt that they could not get caught up in philosophical discussions on how to liberate Palestine, and that they must immediately start military operations to express the anger of the Palestinians with gunshots. In October 1957, they established the first secret group called "Fatah".The group has five members and they are two of them.But most Palestinians at the time thought it ridiculous that they were fighting an armed struggle; they believed that military action must lead to a war between Arabs and Israelis, and that if the Arabs won the war, the Palestine Liberation Movement would automatically win .In order to awaken the Palestinians ideologically, Arafat founded an underground publication "Our Palestine: The Clarion of Life".Although the publication was banned by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and other countries, it still circulated secretly among Palestinians.Fatah finally developed and had some influence.

In early 1962, Nasser issued a statement declaring that he and the leaders of the Arab countries had no plan to liberate Palestine. After Algeria gained independence, Arafat came to Algiers and met President Ben Bella.Ben Bella agreed to assist the liberation of Palestine and allowed Fatah to set up his first official office in Algiers, known as the Palestine Bureau to end its isolated status and contact the outside world.Arafat learned about China's important support for the Algerian revolution in Algiers, especially Zhou Enlai's visit to several North African countries at the end of 1963, which made Arafat eager to visit China.At that time, in Fatah's Central Committee, the military action advocated by Arafat was considered "immature" by most people.Most people believe that the real liberation of Palestine must be based on the willingness of the ruling Arab regime to fight Israel.The endless discussions between the two sides made each other very tired, but neither could convince the other.This made Arafat very distressed. He wanted to change his environment and gain support. He pinned his hopes on China.After contacting in Algiers, he and Wazir were invited to visit China.They traveled to Beijing after passing through Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.

The first may be that Zhou Enlai, who had just returned from Africa, was too busy; the second may be that the influence of Fatah, which was in the underground situation at that time, was not strong enough; The leaders of the group were still at the bottom and failed to emerge, which resulted in Arafat not being able to meet Zhou Enlai during his visit to China. Several overseas biographies about Arafat have talked about his first visit to China.One of them states as follows:- ... At the beginning of 1964, this opportunity came, and he (Arafat) and Wazir were invited to visit China.In late March, in sunny Beijing, they met the Chinese leaders who had finally established the People's Republic after a long revolutionary struggle.Arafat explained to Chinese leaders their military strategy for the liberation of Palestine through revolutionary armed struggle and guerrilla warfare.He spoke with gusto, waiting for praise from wise policymakers in a country he admired.However, the answer was unexpected.Chinese leaders told them frankly that guerrilla warfare alone would not liberate Palestine.Arafat suddenly felt a sense of disappointment. He felt that his request for arms assistance from China must have failed.But once again, China unexpectedly agreed generously.Just time it after starting the fight on their own.After a few weeks, they got their wish.This made it the first time that Arafat's military action plan won the support of a majority of members in the Central Committee's vote.

Arafat visited China for the first time. Although he did not meet Mao Zedong or Zhou Enlai this time, the support he received in China and the weapons he obtained won him the support of the majority in the Central Committee of the PLO. For Zhou En, maybe the Prime Minister has forgotten about this matter... Two months after Arafat left Beijing for his first visit to China, in May 1964, the first meeting of the Palestine National Congress was held in East Jerusalem, attended by more than 400 representatives, and adopted the Palestine National Charter and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The basic constitution of the Palestine Liberation Organization was formally established.Soon, the PLO formed the Palestine Liberation Army.

In mid-March 1965, Ahmed Shoukri, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, visited China.At 6:30 pm on March 18, Zhou Enlai received the Palestine Liberation Organization delegation led by Shu Kaili in the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People. After shaking hands, Shu Kaili smiled and said to Zhou Enlai: "Ten years ago, I met with the Prime Minister in Bandung." Zhou Enlai was known for his astonishing memory. He could remember most of the people he met, whether they were important government officials or just assistants or service personnel. He often reunited with them many years later and could still name them.This time, looking at the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization, he thought of something, nodded slightly in surprise and said with a smile: "Yes, we discussed the Palestine issue during the Bandung Conference..."

"I was reminded of the critical juncture of the Bandung Conference, which was in danger of breaking up on the eve of its closure. At that time, if not for Your Excellency, there was at least one topic that would have failed the conference, and that was the question of Palestine. Some of the participants The leaders of the country are opposed to including this issue on the agenda. Nine Arab countries have announced that if it is not included, they will immediately withdraw from the meeting. Some very powerful leaders also oppose the inclusion of the Palestinian issue on the agenda. Maybe the Prime Minister is busy with work I forgot about it. At that time, I was the deputy head of the Syrian delegation, and I visited His Excellency the Prime Minister together with the head of the delegation.”

Zhou Enlai suddenly laughed, not because Zhou Enlai had a bad memory, but because the identity of the other party had changed.Shukri used to represent Syria, but now he fully represents Palestine. Shoukry continued: "At that time, we described the Palestine issue in detail to His Excellency the Prime Minister, and pointed out that if the Palestine issue was not discussed at the meeting, the future of the Bandung Conference would be in danger. and strength not only to have this issue on the agenda but also fully discussed in the Political Committee meeting. This is an unforgettable contribution to the Arab world and the Bandung Conference. Without the participation of His Excellency the Prime Minister, the conference would have failed . So that should go down in the history books."

After hearing this, Zhou Enlai said humbly: "Thank you very much Brother Shu Kaili for your words of praise for me and our country. This is what our country, the party and I should do for the world, and it is an international obligation we should fulfill. The achievement of the Long Conference is due to everyone's credit, especially President Sukarno, the then Indonesian Prime Minister Shastro Amizoyo, and the President of the United Arab Emirates His Excellency Nasser. They have made great efforts. We have had a lot together Only good cooperation can make the meeting achieve success. Whenever the Bandung Conference is mentioned, I always think of these collaborators. As for the mention of the Palestinian issue, it was precisely because of the support given by the Shukaili brothers and the head of the Syrian delegation at that time. Our explanations have given us a further and clearer understanding of the issue. For ten years, we have kept our promise not to have relations with Israel, and have supported the struggle of the Arab people in Palestine to restore their legitimate rights, although from China Since the founding of the People's Republic, Israel has always wanted to establish diplomatic relations with us." After Zhou Enlai's visit, African and Arab heads of state came to China one after another Zhou Enlai visited ten countries in Africa. In particular, Zhou Enlai announced the five principles of China's dealing with African and Arab countries in Africa, and the eight principles of China's foreign economic and technical assistance. When the two superpowers are trying to dominate the world, let Africa The people and the whole world have seen China's image and heard China's sincere and friendly voice.This was in stark contrast to the aid and support provided to Africa by some major countries at that time. A few days after Zhou Enlai returned to Beijing, on March 24, Zhou Enlai attended a banquet held by Chen Yi and his wife Zhang Qian to thank the eleven countries they visited, and talked about his impressions of visiting these countries at the banquet.On this day, he also received envoys from Kenya, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Iraq and Syria.Because Zhou Enlai's trip to Africa was strongly reflected in the world, during the interview, Iraqi Ambassador to China Amin enthusiastically expressed to Zhou Enlai that Iraq, Syria and other Arab countries all hoped that Premier Zhou would visit. After Zhou En’s visit to Africa, the exchanges between China and African countries increased sharply. There were countless African governments and various non-governmental delegations visiting China, and leaders of many African countries and Arab countries also came to China to visit. make friends.In the few years before Zhou Enlai's visit to Africa, only two heads of state, President Toure of Guinea and President Nkrumah of Ghana, visited Beijing. From mid-March to mid-March 1965, the number increased to five heads of state at once, and all of them were received by Mao Zedong.The five heads of state are - In May 1964, General Aboud, Head of State of the Sudan, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Council of Ministers; In June 1964, Salalah, President of the Yemeni Arab Republic; Rashidi Kawawa, First Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, June 1964; In September 1964, Masamba-Deba, President of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville); September 1964, President Modibo Keita of Mali; In February 1965, President Nyerere of Tanzania. Nyerere is strongly attracted by the new China that has undergone astonishing changes Overseas, people called Julius Nyerere "the conscience of black Africa".In Dar es Salaam, he is known simply as "Mwalema".This "Mwalema" means "mentor" in Swahili.Although Nyerere is the president, his annual salary is only 6,000 U.S. dollars. He does not use special planes when he visits abroad.Although he is a descendant of the chieftain, he is not particularly partial to his own tribe, the Zanaki.He is concerned about the country and the people and is concerned about the national independence and liberation movements throughout Africa. He enjoys a unique and respected position among African heads of state. After realizing national independence, Nyerere was thinking and worrying all day long about how to turn the poor and backward Tanzania into a country that is economically prosperous and politically equal for everyone.Although Tanzania is rich and beautiful, it has long been poor and backward economically.The country he led was listed by the United Nations as one of the twelve poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of only $57 on the eve of independence.It has only one export crop - sisal.Only one hundred and twenty college students. He said: "Let someone else go to the moon, we must strive for food self-sufficiency." Before the invasion of Western colonists, this area was still in the stage of primitive tribal communes, and the social structure was a village system composed of clans and tribes.After the German colonists invaded, they plundered wildly here, which made the economy here dilapidated and the productivity very low.When Britain replaced Germany in ruling here, it maintained the production relationship of the original public ownership of land, strengthened the traditional tribal village system in Africa, and excluded more than half of the country's farmers from the monetary economy.Before independence, more than 95% of the country's population were farmers, and there were no large and medium-sized modern industries.Ports, power stations, mines and the only railway by the sea are all run by foreign colonists.Many small and medium industrial enterprises and businesses are controlled by Europeans, and there are only a few agricultural product processing enterprises in Tanzania.Europeans hold the economic lifeline of Tanzania. In this way, the developing new China strongly attracted Nyerere. He yearned for Mao Zedong's China, a vast, populous, and impoverished oriental country, which had undergone astonishing changes in just over a decade after the People's China was proclaimed, and the appearance of poverty and backwardness was changing. He has long wanted to go to China to see for himself.His good friend President Toure went there, as did President Nkrumah, and they all talked about China excitedly to him after they came back.He was also planning a trip to China. At this time, news came that Premier Zhou Enlai was about to visit many African countries and Tanzania. Of course he was very happy, and he was looking forward to receiving Zhou Enlai in his own country as the host.When Zhou Enlai started his trip to Africa, he once specifically asked his secretary to pay attention to collecting various newspapers and media reports on Zhou Enlai's visit to Africa in a timely manner.He carefully read Zhou Enlai's speeches along the way, especially Zhou Enlai's speech on the eight principles of China's foreign economic and technical assistance, which stirred up waves in his heart.He was looking forward to meeting Zhou Enlai in Dar es Salaam.Later news came that Zhou Enlai decided to postpone his visit to Tanganyika, Uganda and Kenya in East Africa, which made him feel a little regretful. He wanted to go to China in 1963, but in the year Zanzibar became independent, he was committed to uniting Tanganyika and Zanzibar. After his unremitting efforts, Tanganyika and Zanzibar Barr finally reached an agreement in April 1964. The two countries merged into one sovereign state on April 26, called the Republic of Tanzania. He served as president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and Kawawa served as second deputy. president.In June, Vice President Kawawa went to China to visit ahead of him, and was warmly received. He not only met Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, but also Mao Zedong.After Kawawa returned to Dar es Salaam, he talked about the feeling of visiting New China, which made him yearn even more; moreover, Kawawa also conveyed the invitation of Chinese President Liu Shaoqi to visit China at his convenience.He decided to visit China in the spring of 1965.On December 29, 1964, Tanzanian Second Vice President Kawawa formally met with Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania He Ying in Dar es Salaam and told him that President Nyerere hoped to pay a state visit to China as soon as possible. .After He Yingjing consulted China, he met with President Nyerere on January 8, 1965, and expressed that the Chinese leaders warmly welcomed his recent visit to China. During Nyerere's visit to China this time, he has one thing on his mind, which is to hope that China will help build the Tazara Railway. For the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, President Nyerere, who has a lot of national pride, first "throwing stones to ask for directions" The TAZARA starts from Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania in the east, and ends in Kapiri Mposhi in central Zambia in the west, connecting with the railway network in southern Africa.As early as the colonial era, the British colonial authorities wanted to build this railway linking Tanganyika and Zambia.In the 1930s and 1940s, there was the idea of ​​building this railway, but it was only on paper.In the colonial era, neighboring Kenya was the "grandmother" of the United Kingdom, which was "preferred" and developed rapidly, while Tanganyika was an "out of favor" colony, and London never paid much attention to its development.After the Second World War, the British East African Railway and Seaport Company conducted exploration and made a survey report. In the early 1950s, the British Alexander?The Djibouti Joint Stock Company also believes that the railway can be built, and proposes that "effective measures must be taken to develop the areas along the line", otherwise it should not be built.The purpose of building this line was to connect the then Rhodesian Railway (including the main railway lines in Zambia and Zimbabwe) and the East African Railway (railways in Tanganyika, Kenya and Uganda). The investment was too large, and the plan to build the railway was shelved. After Tanganyika and Zambia became independent in 1961 and 1964, after consultations between the two presidents Nyerere and Kaunda, the construction of this railway was put on the agenda again.Zambia is a landlocked country in Central South Africa. It has extremely rich copper reserves and is known as the "Copper Country".In the past, the copper it produced was mainly shipped out through three railway lines: through Rhodesia (ie Zimbabwe) to the port of Beira or Maputo in Portuguese Mozambique; through Zaire to the port of Lobito in Portuguese Angola; Rhodesia, Bechuana (ie Botswana) to various ports in South Africa.On October 24, 1964, Kaunda declared the independence of Zambia and established the Republic of Zambia.However, after independence, the above three foreign shipping ports were still under the rule of Portuguese colonists and white racism. In order to maintain political and economic independence and support the national liberation movement in southern Africa, Zambia must consider opening up new transportation routes.When Tanganyika became independent, there was only the "Central Line" from Dar es Salaam to the coast of Lake Tanganyika, and the transportation in the south was extremely backward. In order to promote the economic development of the southern region and support the national liberation movement in southern Africa, Tanzania is also in desperate need of new rail lines.In 1964, Tanzania and Zambia proposed the idea of ​​building this railway to the World Bank, the United Nations, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada respectively, but none of them received support because the construction of the railway lacked economic value. President Nyerere regarded this railway as a "lifeline". After four requests for help were rejected, his determination to build this railway remained unchanged. railway! At this time, Nyerere remembered to ask the Chinese for help. He also has concerns about asking China for help.One is that although New China has developed, it is still considered a poor country with limited economic strength. China itself has a heavy burden and many problems to solve; Hurt.Therefore, Nyerere was going to visit China to raise the question of building the railway to the Chinese. He had no idea whether China would agree, but he held a hope in his heart.He was worried that he would be in an embarrassing situation if he was rejected rashly, so he used his brains and sent his confidant Minister of Commerce and Cooperation Babu to visit China more than ten days in advance to "ask for directions" before his visit to China. On February 8, 1965, Babu led a trade delegation from the Tanzanian government to Beijing. At noon on February 9, Premier Zhou Enlai received the first Tanzanian ambassador to China Said Saeed?After Tewa, he received Minister Babu that night.Because Babu was standing in front of the upcoming President Nyerere, Zhou Enlai first talked to him about China's protocol reform.Zhou Enlai, we are breaking the restrictions of the protocol form.The present protocol is passed down from three forms, one is the protocol of the monarchy, the other is the protocol of unequal treatment in the capitalist country, and the third is the protocol of the United States. .Zhou Enlai said that none of these three types is good. We still need the protocol form of Asian countries that are truly equal, brotherly, and respectful.He also told Babu that the trade between our two countries should be based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual assistance, without these three principles.At this time, Babu wanted to talk about the Tanzania-Zambia Railway issue, but he hesitated for a while, and gave up the idea of ​​directly talking about this issue with Premier Zhou. Sensitive Zhou Enlai sensed that Babu wanted to say something but didn't say it. After sending Babu away, he left He Ying, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania who accompanied him at the time, and asked He Ying to ask Babu about the specific issues to be discussed. On February 10th, He Ying and personnel from relevant departments met with Babu. As expected, Babu directly talked about the construction of the Tazara Railway.He Ying described Babu's conversation at that time in the article "Review of the Decision to Aid the Tazara Railway"—— On February 10, I met Babu. When talking about what Nyerere was going to discuss in China, Babu said that President Nyerere very much wants to build the Tanzania-Zambia railway, and may ask China to help build it. .Babu said that last year, the governments of Tanzania and Zambia jointly proposed to the World Bank for aid in the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, but they were declined; when Tanzanian Vice President Kawawa visited the Soviet Union, he asked the Soviet government to assist in the construction of the railway, but the Soviet Union President Nyerere was very disappointed that the government refused without hesitation.After being rejected by all parties, he once said that he would have to rely on his own sacrifice to build the railway.Babu believes that the construction of this railway has great economic and political significance.After being rejected by the World Bank and the Soviet government, it is estimated that Nyerere will not be straightforward but will tactfully ask China for construction assistance.Babu suggested that if President Nyerere proposed to build the railway, he hoped that the Chinese leaders would not immediately give a negative answer, but generally express interest and would like to study it. After meeting with Babu, He Ying immediately reported what Babu said to Zhou Enlai.According to the relevant guidelines of the central government, Zhou Enlai instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately write a relevant report to the central government.The main content of the report is to introduce that Tanzania and Zambia want to build this railway connecting East, China and South Africa; the relevant situation of the British company's exploration and investigation; the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway can not only promote the development of the national economies of Tanzania and Zambia, Strong support can also be given to national liberation movements in central and southern Africa.If China undertakes the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, African countries can also see that China is sincerely helping them and is their true friend. It is truly unprecedented in the history of China's diplomacy and transportation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead of the Ministry of Railways reports to the central government to go to foreign countries to build railways. Zhou Enlai urgently consulted the opinions of relevant departments so that Mao Zedong could make a final decision This request for instructions, pressed with a paperweight made from the fragments of a downed U.S. military aircraft, has been on his large faded desk for almost a day.This is a report written by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the content of which is to suggest that China undertake the construction of the Tazara Railway in East Africa.At this moment in the dead of night, under the light of the desk lamp, the report on the paperweight is particularly conspicuous.Excited by his thoughts, he went to bed and slept for a while almost at dawn. He slept very lightly, and woke up at dawn.The strong and angry slogans of the parade on the street could be faintly heard from outside the red wall.On this day, nearly one million people in Beijing took to the streets to denounce the crimes committed by US imperialism against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.On February 9, the Chinese government issued a statement: Invading Vietnam is invading China, and the 650 million Chinese people will never ignore it.Since February 9th, this has been the fifth consecutive day of mass demonstrations. The slogans of the anti-American demonstrations of the masses excited his thinking again.He is inclined to China to undertake the aid construction of this African railway.He linked the construction of this railway with the international situation at that time, China's international environment and the need for struggle. The international environment that the country is facing is very severe, and we are beset by enemies! The United States has always imposed an economic blockade, political isolation, and military threats on China. After Kennedy was assassinated and Linden?Since Johnson took over as president, he has regarded China as the main enemy of the United States and the Far East as the main battlefield of the anti-communist struggle. The United States has continuously escalated its aggression against Vietnam. Scale bombing of North Vietnam.In early February 1965, the U.S. bombing escalated, dispatching large numbers of planes almost daily to bomb railways, roads, bridges, warehouses, barracks, airports, industrial areas, and other targets in North Vietnam.The United States also supported Chiang Kai-shek to intensify harassment and destruction of the southeast coast. In the past six months to early February 1965, our military and civilians successively wiped out seven groups of US-Chiang secret agents, a total of 196 people, captured and sunk armed forces. Eight spy ships.The United States also strongly supported the Japanese Sato government's policy of hostility to China.At the same time, the Soviet Union increased its troops in the border areas of China and continued to create troubles. Not long ago, it instigated the Yining riots in Xinjiang, my country, and incited more than 10,000 Chinese residents to illegally cross the border into the Soviet Union.Although Khrushchev fell, he went to Moscow at the end of last year to find out and recently had several talks with Prime Minister Kosygin who passed by Beijing. He learned that the anti-China policy of the new Soviet leader has not changed.India also took the opportunity to provoke me on the Sino-Indian border, and even launched an armed attack.Zhou Enlai was deeply worried, and felt that the main task facing my country's diplomacy was to break the US-Soviet attack on China from north to south, break the blockade, go out and make friends, especially strengthen unity and cooperation with the third world countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. After the Second World War, the African national liberation movement surged, especially since the 1960s, it has swept the entire African continent, and a large number of countries have gained independence.After visiting ten African countries not long ago, he personally felt the awakening of the African continent, witnessed the disintegration of the colonial system, and the power of imperialism and colonialism was severely hit. The development of the situation is in my favor.These newly independent nation-states have just shaken off the shackles of colonial rule, and their economies are extremely difficult. They urgently need to develop their national economies and get rid of the control of colonialism economically in order to achieve complete independence.National liberation struggles in countries that have not yet gained independence are in full swing.They all need support and help.The imperialist countries will not help them sincerely, and the Soviet Union will either not help, or be dishonest, including the purpose of seeking hegemony.Africa is exactly the vast world for China's diplomacy to carry out its work. Tanzania and Zambia, which are involved in the construction of this railway, are very friendly to China.Tanzania became independent earlier and was the first country in East Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China.President Nyerere is also relatively upright, and he is more resolute in supporting the struggle for national liberation.He planned to develop the southern region, develop the national economy, expand political influence, and at the same time increase his personal prestige, so he was very determined to build this railway.Zambia just gained independence last year (1964), and declared the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on the second day of independence.Zambia is a landlocked country without its own sea estuary. The original railway for sea access has been blocked and semi-blocked after independence. There is only one dirt road leading to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and it is not accessible during the rainy season. As a result, it is difficult to transport the annual output of 550,000 tons of copper, and there is also an urgent need to build a railway.Therefore, building the Tanzania-Zambia Railway has become an urgent desire of the two countries. ... Zhou Enlai considered and prepared to agree to build the railway from a strategic perspective, and it still needed a decision from the central government, and Mao Zedong made the final decision. The report submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his desktop is an urgent report.A few days later, that is, on February 17, 1965, before Tanzanian President Nyerere arrived in Beijing for his first visit to China, the central government would decide whether to consider building the railway in Africa.This is not as simple as approving the sending of one or two medical teams to Africa, or building one or two tea factories, tobacco factories, and stadiums, it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, it will be so far away from the country, and it will be constructed near the hot equator It will be unimaginably difficult as some experts said.... Regarding the suggestion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhou Enlai conducted careful research.The first is whether we can build this railway? After the founding of New China, we built the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway, which was a very difficult project among the mountains and mountains. At that time, some experts in the West asserted that the result was that the Chinese could only throw steel into a pile of waste in the mountains of the Southwest Plateau. iron.Their prophecy came true.Zhou Enlai firmly believed that the Chinese were capable of building this railway in Africa.For this reason, after a meeting of the State Council, Premier Zhou Enlai retained Fang Yi, the director of the Foreign Economic and Economic Commission in charge.Zhou Enlai first asked Fang Yi for his opinion.Fang Yi said that the Tanzania-Zambia Railway has not only economic significance but also military and political significance to Tanzania and Zambia.These two sister countries are also surrounded by imperialism, colonialism, racism and their followers, and they jointly realize that without the independent liberation of the surrounding countries, there will be no real independent liberation of their own.However, this steel transportation line connecting them can free them from the control and blackmail of imperialism, colonialism, and racism, and it can also enable them to use the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial countries in the world to support the cause of African national liberation. The living supplies and military supplies were delivered to freedom fighters seeking liberation in southern, central and western Africa.There is no doubt that the Tazara railway must be built.As for who started the cultivation, it could be China or other countries.If China agrees to the construction, it will definitely cause panic in some western countries, and they may be forced to accept the construction task, which may be shared by one country or several countries.The key issue here is that China must agree to help build it sincerely, rather than a hypocritical political game. Zhou Enlai also said that all countries in the world know that China is an underdeveloped socialist country, we still need help from others, and those who need help donate their money to help others. Rib knife" Well!The poor in the world help the poor out of sincerity and will not have any intentions. Accept it calmly.This is true between people, so why not between countries!Our selfless assistance will surely win more friendship.Once the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is completed, its impact will be immeasurable, and it will not be comparable to several small and medium-sized projects.Of course, we must not use the Tanzania-Zambia Railway to gain fame, set up a monument, or pursue fame and fortune. After hearing Premier Zhou's words, Fang Yi said: "Prime Minister, no matter what difficulties there are, we will also help build the Tanzania-Zambia Railway." Afterwards, Zhou Enlai approached Railway Minister Lu Zhengcao for advice.Zhou Enlai asked: "If we send Chinese railway builders to Africa to help African countries build railways, will we be able to complete the task?" Lu Zhengcao was a general and minister, and he answered very straightforwardly: "Prime Minister, the railway construction team under my subordinates are all hard-core engineering teams that can drive and survive. Let alone Africa, they dare to go to the ends of the earth! If you really want to帮助非洲朋友修建铁路，我这个铁道部长决不搞本位主义，一定要把最好的设计队伍和施工派出去！” 之后，周恩来在外交部的请示报告上作了如下批示—— 为援助非洲新独立的国家和支持非洲民族解放斗争，如果尼雷尔总统访华时提出援建坦赞铁路问题，我意应同意。 毛泽东、刘少奇在这份报告上均圈阅表示同意。 尼雷尔说，在你们回答之前，我都不敢呼吸了 尼雷尔确实民族自尊心很强，他刚到北京后，头两天几次有机会都没有向中国领导人提出修建坦赞铁路的事情。他是一九六五年二月十七日上午飞抵北京的。在首都机场受到刘少奇主席和夫人、周恩来总理和夫人、陈毅副总理和夫人的热烈欢迎，他看见在北京受到如次隆重的接待，这是他去其他国家访问所从未遇到过的，他很受感动。 他在北京计划逗留四天。第一天，十七日下午，他在周恩来总理陪同下，在天安门广场向革命烈士纪念碑献了花之后，参观了中国革命博物馆。周恩来结合着历史文物，向他介绍中国革命的历程。晚上，刘少奇主席和周恩来总理在人民大会堂会见了尼雷尔总统，会见后刘少奇举行宴会招待尼雷尔。这一天，尼雷尔没有提出援建铁路问题。 第二天，十八日。上午，尼雷尔在陈毅副总理陪同下参观了北京棉纺厂。下午，刘少奇和周恩来前往钓鱼台国宾馆回访尼雷尔总统。这时，尼雷尔在北京访问的行程已经过半，第三天就是毛泽东接见了。第四天他就要飞往南京访问了。 在十八日下午，会谈进行了一段时间了，尼雷尔还是谈别的问题。早有准备的刘少奇问尼雷尔：总统阁下有什么问题需要解决吗？ 尼雷尔这才介绍了修建坦赞铁路的打算和遇到的问题。他说：“修建坦赞铁路不仅可以打破帝国主义想使坦赞重新成为别人殖民地的阴谋，而且可以开发南部地区，改变经济恶性循环问题。你们可能想不到修成这条铁路有多么重要，它等于爆炸一颗原子弹。我坦率地向你们提出，使你们了解这一点，请你们考虑怎么办。如果你们可以考虑的话，我们将感到很高兴；如果你们有困难的话，我们完全可以理解。” 他说完这段话后，脸色显得有些紧张。 刘少奇当即对他说：“我们可以考虑，但需要较长时间，第一步是进行勘探。” 周恩来又接着说：“马里总统曾向刘主席提出，要求我们帮修一条从马里到阿尔及利亚的公路，它比你们要修的铁路长得多，战略上也很重要，我们答应了。东非的铁路，西非的公路，都是有战略意义的，对非洲人民解放是很重要的。我们了解它的重要意义。问题是修成这条铁路需要较长的时间。” 尼雷尔完全没有想到中国领导人的答复如此干脆、明确。他很激动地说：“这是非常好的消息。当我提这个问题的时候，我的心跳得多么厉害呀！在你们回答我以前，我连呼吸都不敢呼吸了！” 刘少奇说：“帝国主义不干的事，我们干，我们帮助你们修。” 周恩来说：“铁路建成后，主权是属于你们和赞比亚的，我们还要教给你们技术。” 尼雷尔高兴地说：“我兴奋得不能喘气了！” 十九日下午四时，毛泽东在人民大会堂会见了尼雷尔。毛泽东对他说：“中国人民见到非洲的朋友很高兴。我们很高兴，因为是互相帮助，不是谁要剥削谁，都是自己人。我们不想打你们什么主意，你们也不想打我们什么主意。我们都不是帝国主义国家，帝国主义国家是不怀好心的。” 在谈到援建坦赞铁路时，毛泽东说：“你们有困难，我们也有困难，但你们的困难和我们的不同，我们宁可不修铁路也要帮你们修建这条铁路。” 毛泽东的话使尼雷尔十分感动。 关于援建坦赞铁路的原则协议就这样达成了。在二十日下午签字的中坦两国会谈纪要是这样写的—— ……中国还同意援建坦桑尼亚——赞比亚铁路工程，并包括对沿线煤矿的勘探。中国总理说明援建铁路和灌溉工程要较长的时间，并要求双方暂不对外公布。 美国报纸惊呼：西方国家在非洲遇到的最强烈的外交挑战 在尼雷尔总统访华结束两个多月后，坦桑尼亚对外宣布了中国承诺援件坦赞铁路的消息。西方国家对此极为震动，真有点像尼雷尔在北京说的，修建这条铁路等于爆炸一颗原子弹。 五六十年代以来，在非洲民族解放运动浪潮中，一个个非洲国家宣布独立，西方殖民统治在崩溃。当欧洲的殖民势力极不甘心地从非洲大陆步步败退时，美国意识到非洲大陆地位重要，正在加强对非洲的控制，在策划推翻了卢蒙巴政权后，美国已经侵入了刚果作为据点控制非洲。 美英两大国对中国援建坦赞铁路的反应最为强烈。美国报纸攻击坦桑尼亚“正在被中国共产党用作颠覆基地”，并且造谣胡说尼雷尔在北京做了一桩交易，同意从人口膨胀的中国接受二千万中国人去定居作为回报，惊呼“这将是西方国家在非洲遇到的最强烈的外交挑战”。美国驻坦桑尼亚大使竟然对尼雷尔说，只要你把中国人赶出去，美国就同意帮助修建坦赞铁路。 英国《每日电讯报》在头版发表题为《中国对非洲的野心》的社论，称中国援建这条铁路是为了“给中国渗入非洲的计划增加吸引力”。英国和加拿大假惺惺表示同意拿出十六万多英镑对修建坦赞铁路的可行性进行联合勘察。 由于受到西方世界的压力和攻击，尼雷尔对接受中国援建坦赞铁路曾一度产生踌躇。周恩来在接到驻坦赞大使何英的有关情况报告后，决定于一九六五年六月回访坦桑尼亚。 周恩来乘中国民航的专机远航东非，结束了租用外国飞机的历史 机身上那五星红旗的标志鲜明地在非洲的阳光下闪耀。 这次周恩来飞往非洲在飞机上感到很舒畅，乘坐的是中国民航自己的飞机。这是中国民航首次远距离、跨洲界的飞行。这是周恩来期待已久的事情！乘坐的这架专机是四个发动机的伊尔-18。在北京登机的时候，周恩来对机组人员亲切地说：这是建国后中国民航飞得最远的一次，我跟你们一起来实践。在飞经巴格达、开罗、喀土穆停留加油时，这些国家的总理来机场迎送，周恩来在寒喧的言谈中都不无自豪感地谈到：我们这次是乘坐自己的飞机飞往达累斯萨拉姆了。 周恩来多次对有关的领导说到：中国民航要飞出去。六十年代初，国家领导人访问印尼、缅甸、巴基斯坦等邻近国家，已经开始乘坐自己民航的专机。但远航欧非大陆，还是租用外国的飞机。两个多月前，一九六五年三月下旬，周恩来在去罗马利亚参加罗工人党第一书记乔治乌？德治的葬礼，还是租用巴基斯坦航空公司的飞机，途中他对陪同的中国民航总局的领导人语重心长地说：“中国民航不飞出去就打不开局面，一定要飞出去，才能打开局面！” 周恩来同意了这次飞往坦桑尼亚乘坐中国民航的专机。中国民航进行了周密细致的准备。先派机组试飞这条航线，搜集所需的各种飞行资料，熟悉沿途经过的十二个国家、地区机场位置、导航台位置和频率、气象资料，以及这些国家、地区所规定的禁区、空中走廊等。 对中国机组来说，出国远飞的试航中，感到语言障碍也会给飞行安全造成威胁。机组人员虽说经过了英语培训，但也只是粗通一点，掌握的词汇有限，离随心运用的程度相差甚远。有时，难免出点差错，会将“东施”误听作“西施”。在试飞降落十分繁忙的开罗机场时，本该已到机场上空的中国飞机降落，可是无线电里传来地面指挥的声音： “保持高度右转弯。” 这是让我们这架中国飞机在机场上空兜圈子，给另一架飞机让路。但我们机上的一位通讯员因看见我们飞机前面没有其他飞机，就想当然翻译成了： “可以降落左转弯。” 幸好机长叫地面重复了一遍，才纠正肯定为： “保持高度右转弯。” 不然，两架飞机抢一条跑道，后果将难以设想。 试飞回来，进行了总结，民航总局的领导对发现的问题采取了有关的措施。 这次中国民航远飞非洲大陆，出动了三个最优秀的机组同行，大家轮换着飞行，始终保持旺盛的精力，途中处理了好几次险情。在首次远航中，保证了周恩来总理和中国政府代表团的安全。 据当时担任机组领队、后任武汉空军副司令员的张瑞霭回忆：“这次飞行，结束了总理出访租用外国飞机的历史。无论是周恩来总理及代表团，还是我们机组人员，都有一种扬眉吐气的感觉，都有要庆贺一番的冲动。” 尼雷尔说：我可以动员这么多人上街，但不能下命令让这么多人带着笑脸 六月四日上午，周恩来乘坐的专机飞抵达累斯萨拉姆。尼雷尔总统、卡塞姆副总统、卡瓦瓦副总统等领导人都到机场热烈欢迎。从机场到市里的街道两旁，身穿各色民族服装的群众手持小旗、鲜花。周恩来的车队进入市中心最繁华宽敞的独立大街，更是簇拥着载歌载舞的群众，好些人真诚、热情地呼喊着：“中国！中国！”将鲜花扔向周恩来乘着的轿车。场面甚是动人。 在车上，面对着这盛大的热烈欢迎场面，尼雷尔笑着对周恩来说：“总理阁下，我作为总统，可以动员那么多人上街欢迎你；但是，我不能下命令，让这么多人每人都带着笑脸来欢迎你。” 尼雷尔组织如此盛大的欢迎场面，是对他在北京受到的热烈欢迎的回应。周恩来对尼雷尔总统、政府和人民的真诚欢迎很为感动。周恩来在与尼雷尔会谈时，曾主动提出，希望坦桑尼亚大多数还没有去过中国的部长都能去访问，说：“百闻不如一见。” 周恩来说：西方不修，中国一定修，总统就掌握了一张王牌 达累斯萨拉姆没有春夏秋冬四季，一年之中只有热季和凉季。周恩来到来的六月初，正好是一年中凉季的开始。六月六日下午五时，在西边高原的晚霞映照下，来自印度洋的凉爽而湿润的季风吹拂着，周恩来当天飞去桑给巴尔访问回来后，与尼雷尔在总统府里举行的第三轮会谈，商讨的就是有关修建坦赞铁路的有关问题。 尼雷尔表示，中国虽是个大国，但经济并不发达，人民生活并不富裕，如果有可能，坦赞铁路还是由西方发达国家来援建，他将努力寻求这种可能性。 周恩来即有针对性地向尼雷尔交底说，坦赞铁路无论是由中国援建还是由西方国家援建，都可以，问题是必须尽快修起来。西方不修，中国一定修，这样总统就掌握了一张王牌，可以和西方讨价还价。周恩来还说，我们将于今年八、九月间先派综合考察组来，先勘察坦桑尼亚境内段，除考察铁路干线外，还要勘测沿线的煤矿、铁矿、水文等。 尼雷尔听了周恩来坦诚的谈话，这就放了心。 周恩来在访问坦桑尼亚期间，还去中国使馆看望了中国在坦工作的同志们。他在中国驻坦使馆的领导和专家组长会议上作了重要指示。他强调说，我们要多考虑使坦桑在经济上搞得更好些。要尊重对方，不要犯大国沙文主义。我们的工作只能成功，不能失败，当然具体工作难免犯一些错误，但只要坚持真理，修正错误，戒骄戒躁，谦虚谨慎，及时总结经验，接受教训。 尼雷尔老母亲也来机场送行，周恩来秘密委托尼雷尔向美国传话 六月八日上午，周恩来和尼雷尔总统在国家大厦签署中国和坦桑尼亚联合公报。然后，周恩来前往机场，尼雷尔总统、卡塞姆第一副总统、卡瓦瓦第二副总统、国民议会议长姆克瓦瓦等都来到飞机舷梯旁欢送。连尼雷尔总统的老母亲、夫人也到机场送行。 在离开达累斯萨拉姆之前，周恩来得到消息说，巴基斯坦总统阿尤布？汗访问美国之行推迟，周恩来原来委托他向美国领导人转达的关于中国不主动挑起反美战争、但对战争有所准备等四句话未能转达。由于尼雷尔总统最近将访问美国，因而周恩来在离开坦桑尼亚之前，又秘密委托尼雷尔向美国领导人转达这四句话。 没有一个国家象赞比亚那样以铜为生命…… 世界上没有一个国家象赞比亚那样以铜为生命。 赞比亚是非洲中部靠南的一个内陆高原国家，幅员即使按照非洲标准来说也是辽阔的，其面积要比法国、比利时和荷兰的面积总和还要大得多，而在一九六四年宣布独立的时候，人口只有三百五十万。而且其大部分地区还处在非货币经济状态之中。分布在北部高原靠近扎伊尔的铜矿，形成了一条宽六十五公里，长二百二十多公里的著名“铜带”。这个人口如此少的国家的铜的蕴藏量为九亿吨，是西方世界蕴藏量的四分之一。在独立前的六十年代初，铜矿的产值就占了国民经济生产总值的一半左右。铜是政府巨额收入的来源，达到平均每人近三十英镑。赞比亚在独立前叫北罗得西亚。在一九六三年就有资料说明：“北罗得西亚公布的现在认为有价值的铜蕴藏量，在世界铜总蕴藏量中所占的比重，相当于科威特的石油蕴藏量在世界石油总蕴藏量中所占的比重。” 漫步在首都卢萨卡的大街小巷，到处都可以看见铜的标志，听到有关铜的美好传说。铜器店在街头随处可见，店内工艺精美的青铜、黄铜雕刻及其它铜制品，琳琅满目，美不胜收。东郊的国民议会大厦，屋顶全部由金光灿烂的铜瓦覆盖，外墙由铜皮包饰，堪称为“铜墙”。总统的豪华轿车铜光闪闪。国宾馆宴会厅的天花板是铜镶嵌的，周围墙壁上的灯具也都是铜制品。居民家庭中的茶具、酒具、炊具以及其它日常生活用品，无一不是铜制的。 这一带地区也是人类发源地之一。在本世纪三十年代采矿时偶然发现的罗德西亚人头盖骨，说明在五万年以前，生活在这里的人已经会用多种石器和使用火。在赞比亚北部山区的洞穴石壁上，所发现的神秘而潦草的几何图形的岩画，经科学的碳15断代法测定这些画至少出现在公元五千年前。在距今一千多年前的村庄遗迹里，考古学家也发现了贝壳和铜制的装饰品。在一千一百多年前，这一带已经在采矿炼铜，人们已经在使用铜锭交换布匹、陶器等用具，铜丝制作的装饰品是值钱的物品。在欧洲人入侵之前，赞比亚已经有很大的矿区，其矿井和坑道的规模甚至使初来的欧洲人大为惊奇。 在古代的这里的部族中，除了酋长之外，最有地位的人就要算巫师和“化铜的”冶炼师了。铜矿挖掘出来，经妇女儿童拿去河里冲洗干净，就交给冶炼师化铜。冶炼师的身份充满神秘和禁忌，例如在冶炼的前一天晚上，就不能同妻子有性生活，否则炼出的金属就不会变硬。冶炼的秘密通常是在部族的一个氏族中世代相传，进行冶炼时要举行隆重的仪式。 先是砍一种坚硬而结实的穆本加树，经三天火烧成优质木炭。于是，在一条小河边让巫师挑选一块的空地，冶炼师用巫医调制的树皮浆来润湿脸和手，然后在空地当中挖一个浅坑准备盛放熔化了的铜水。在浅坑上铺上木炭，再堆上干柴，化铜的炉子就砌在这堆柴的附近。炉子是用蚁山土砌的。砌炉子被当作一件极为秘密的工作，是不许旁人观看的，由冶炼师独自进行。砌完后，在炉子的鼓风管接口上套上一个羚羊皮做的手拉风箱。 一切准备就绪，酋长、巫师们就带领人们围聚在一起作祷告，巫师们用树皮和香草作仪式。仪式告一段落，就点火了。当火焰喷出来时，就把矿石倾倒进炉子里。周围的群众唱着歌、跳着舞，赤裸着身子的人们在灼热的炉子旁伴着歌声很有节奏地拉风箱。从炉顶喷出的火焰很快就变颜色了，先变绿色，后变为金黄色经过一个多小时，铜水开始流出来。 这时，冶炼师大声发出信号，青年们就跑上去扒开炉子，将泥土和炉灰搬开，让熔化了的铜水露出来。这是大家最兴奋的时刻了！歌唱得更欢，舞跳得更有劲。自古以来大家都认为出铜水，是酋长召唤来山神力量的体现。 铜水凝固后，第二天又用来捣碎，放在另一种炉子里加以精炼。赞比亚的冶炼师把产品铸成锭和条两种主要形式。铜锭交给工匠们加工成装饰品、铜丝、子弹和锄头。铜条用来作中非洲的流通货币，大小从三十厘米长二十磅重至一米长一百磅重不等。一根最大的铜条可以买到一个漂亮的姑娘。冶炼师和矿工们由于付出了劳动，各分得产品的五分之一，剩下的都归头人和酋长。 欧洲殖民者入侵后，西方的公司控制了这一带的铜矿生产和贸易。 十九世纪中期，世界铜的年产量还不到十万吨。二十世纪初，世界铜的年产量骤然增至一百万吨，到赞比亚独立的时候，已经超过四百万吨。在赞比亚，由铜矿生产刺激起来的铁路运输，是在二十世纪初的殖民统治年代里发展起来的。 一九五三年九月三日，英国把北罗得西亚、南罗得西亚和尼亚萨兰强行拼凑为“中非联邦”。在亚非民族独立浪潮的冲击下，由于中非三国人民的强烈反对，英国殖民者被迫于一九六三年底宣布解散“中非联邦”。一九六四年一月二十二日，北罗得西亚实行“内部自治”，十月二十四日宣告独立，改名为赞比亚共和国。 当时，赞比亚的东西邻是葡萄牙侵占的莫三鼻给和安哥拉，南部是史密斯白人种族义者统治的罗得西亚和南非沃斯特种族主义政权占领下的西南非洲（纳米比亚），它处在三面包围之中，只有东邻的坦桑尼亚是友好的民族主义国家。赞比亚独立后，英美帝国主义一直通过罗得西亚、南非反动当局以及葡属殖民地不断向赞比亚进行军事挑衅、政治颠覆和经济封锁。赞比亚产的铜已经不能通过经过这些国家的铁路外运出海。 赞比亚的经济命脉受到严重威胁，怎么办？ 卡翁达总统来到北京却不开口…… 有人说，大凡在五六十年代争取到独立的非洲国家，其开国元首都有三个共同点。一是早年到欧美留学，开阔了眼界，长了见识；二是在殖民统治者的监狱里坐牢获者遭到流放；三是演说家，都有雄辩的口才，讲话极能打动人心。 赞比亚首任总统肯尼思.达威德.卡翁达，却只有上述后两个共同点。他蹲过英国殖民者设在卢萨卡的中央监狱，后来还被流放到北方省。他极具辩才，演说很富感染力，他不主张使用武力革命，而经常在自己国家的各省长途跋山涉水作旅行演说，发动群众，争取民族独立。一九六四年十月二十四日，在首都卢萨卡市郊的独立体育场举行隆重的独立庆典，他对应邀来的四十多个国家贵宾所作的演讲就极其精彩。有人开玩笑说这与赞比亚人天生的大嘴巴有关，两万五千年以前留下的骨骼表明赞比亚人的祖先嘴巴大，脖子粗而短，眉毛下没有突出的骨架。卡翁达在外貌上确有这些特征。 但是卡翁达不是土生的赞比亚本地部族人，而是在十七世纪时从西边越过卢瓦普拉河迁徙来的奔巴族人。卡翁达没能象杜尔、恩克鲁玛、尼雷尔或是肯雅塔一样，很早就出去留洋，他是在国内的穆纳利中学读书，当过小学教师、中学总务主任、小学校长等职。他四十年代在科珀贝尔特开始参加争取民族独立的政治活动。一九四九年，二十五岁时，他放弃了在木富利腊的小学校长职务，回到钦萨利一边种地、一边从事政治活动。一九五〇年三月，他将当地人的非洲人福利会改组为非洲人民大会党的一个支部，并当选为书记。于是，他将田地交给妻子贝蒂照料，骑上自行车遍访周围的村庄，弹着吉他，招来听众，然后唱自己创作的政治歌曲。他的职业政治生涯就是这样开始的。在独立前，卡翁达就对中国十分友好，每次到达累斯萨拉姆，都会与中国驻坦噶尼喀大使何英见面，还到过中国使馆作客。 独立后的赞比亚奉行不结盟的对外政策，在独立后的第二天卡翁达就宣布同中国建交。尽管台湾派了外交官到卢萨卡来多方进行活动，美国方面还对赞比亚施加了压力，卡翁达决定只奉行一个中国的政策，不理睬台湾而只与中国建交。赞比亚独立后，卡翁达考虑到经济上的独立和发展才能使自己的国家示现真正而完全的独立，修建铁路的问题是卡翁达优先着重考虑的问题。其实在本世纪初叶有了铁路，才使赞比亚的农业耕作和商品农业的发战有了可能，农民们在铁路沿线种玉米、养牛和种植西沙尔麻。当然，修建坦赞铁路的最主要的原因是为了保证作为财政收入支柱的铜的出口。有了坦赞铁路，赞比亚还可以参加东非国家的共同市场。有关专家告诉卡翁达，估计建设坦赞铁路需要四年，费用初估为六千万英镑。在修建坦赞铁路的问题上，卡翁达的态度不如尼雷尔积极。但卡翁达在找了英国、法国、日本等西方国家碰钉子之后，才转向了中国。 在当时，在美国、苏联两大国都敌视中国的情况下，要接受中国的援助是要有相当的政治勇气的。一九六六年八月下旬，卡翁达首先派副总统卡曼加到北京访问，进行试探摸底。他得知中国与坦桑尼亚已就修建这条铁路达成原则协议，下面需要同赞比亚达成协议。 一九六七年六月下旬，卡翁达正式访问中国。在与周恩来总理会谈时，卡翁达出于民族自尊心，在谈判中一直未开口提出修建坦赞铁路的问题，周恩来早已知道对方的想法和心理，就在会谈中主动直接了当地提出修建铁路问题。当时参与会谈的何英在回忆文章《对援建坦赞铁路决策的回顾》中，作了记述—— 在与周恩来会谈时，卡翁达出于自尊，未主动提出援建铁路的要求，周总理体谅其自尊与困难，直接了当地提出了修建铁路问题，并反复询问有关情况。卡翁达说：他访华之前已向中国和日、英、法三国私人公司提出要求，下个月坦、赞、肯、马四国要召开财政和交通运输部长会议，进行讨论，作最后决定，因此想先了解一下中国政府的意见和态度。 周总理表示，我们已与尼雷尔总统谈过多次，答应帮助修建，我们是把坦桑和赞比亚一起考虑的。只要两国总统下决心，我们愿意承担投资，并且将把有关的设备从海上运去。这是支持非洲的民族独立、反帝反殖的斗争，也是为了帮助你们发展民族经济、巩固民族独立。 卡翁达满意地表示：我不可能要求更多的了，在目前阶段，你们愿意帮助我们修，完全满足了我们现在的要求。 周总理进一步说：如果你们两位总统商定，下决心要修，愿意让中国帮助修的话，我们可以进一步去勘察。 毛泽东说：投资也只有一亿英镑，没有什么了不起嘛 这几天，由于在六月十七日我国爆炸第一颗氢弹成功，毛泽东处于一种十分兴奋的心情之中。 尽管这几天国内事情不少，广西的造反派竟然在柳州截拦载有援越军事物资的国际列车，这是给胡志明打美国佬的枪支弹药啊！财政部、外贸部、商业部的造反派竟然要召开打倒李先念的大会，随便将一个政治局委员说成是“叛徒头子”，这怎么行？江西、广西、河南、湖南、浙江等省的主要领导干部都受到冲击……；但是，氢弹爆炸成功这件大事，又一次轰动全世界，使他连续兴奋了好几天，他叫身边的人连连给他念世界各