In Zambia in April, the morning air is clear and cold, with low clouds and a hint of coolness in the humid air. The reporter walked into the Tanzan Railway Memorial Park located in the Jongwe region of the capital city of Lusaka province. 36 Chinese personnel who sacrificed their lives during the aid construction in Zambia are buried in this land. Surrounded by chrysanthemums, a square of marble tombstones stands quietly in the direction of the motherland, with solemn gardenia flowers and tower pines guarding on the side. The total length of the Tanzania Zambia Railway is 1860.5 kilometers, passing through the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, crossing steep canyons, swamps, wetlands, and primitive forests. The terrain is complex, with significant drops, and the construction conditions are extremely difficult. In the 1970s, tens of thousands of Chinese experts and technicians traveled across the ocean to Africa, fighting alongside the people of Tanzania and Zambia. With sweat, blood, and even lives, they built the Tanzania Zambia Railway, known as the "Road of Friendship" and "Road of Freedom". In 1976, the Tanzan Railway, which lasted for 5 years and 8 months, was fully opened to traffic. This railway has not only become an important artery for economic development in the areas along the route, but also a monument in the history of friendship between the Chinese and African peoples. The Tanzan Railway Memorial Hall located in the memorial park records in detail the history of the builders of the Three Kingdoms sharing joys and sorrows. Precious historical data and images show that the early survey stage of the Zambia section of the Tanzania Zambia Railway was particularly difficult. The surveyors braved the wind and rain, slept in the open air, and followed the footsteps of elephants in the impassable wilderness. When water sources were scarce, they extracted the remaining mud and water from the elephant footprints to quench their thirst. In addition to dealing with complex natural environments, they also need to guard against attacks from wild animals. Water conservancy expert Zhang Mincai was attacked by a wild bee colony during a field survey and unfortunately died in the line of duty at the age of 35 due to systemic poisoning and severe injuries. As the guardian of the memorial park, this is the second year that Wang Kai has been on duty alone here. In the quiet garden, he often browsed through historical materials and learned about the life stories of each martyr. The spirit of my predecessors inspires me and supports me to persevere here, "Wang Kai told reporters. The visitors who came to pay their respects were mainly Chinese compatriots. Looking through the visitor registry of the memorial park, I also saw some local visitors' handwriting in the message rooms of numerous Chinese visitors. Zambian visitor Joseph Mware wrote, "We are very grateful for everything our Chinese brothers have contributed to the construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railway. This memorial park should be seen and remembered by more people." Speaking of the martyrs who are buried here, security guard Jostas Ferri, who has worked in the memorial park for many years, said that the Chinese have brought not only technology, but also a spirit of selfless dedication. This period of history has forged a solid friendship between Zambia and China. I am pleased to see more and more local people visiting the memorial park. Only by understanding history can this friendship be continued. About half a century after its opening, the "Steel Road" carrying the deep friendship between China, Zambia, and Tanzania has also ushered in a new round of upgrading and revitalization. On September 4, 2024, the heads of state of China, Tanzania, and Zambia jointly witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Tanzania Zambia Railway Activation Project. In November 2025, the Tanzania Zambia Railway activation project will enter the comprehensive construction phase. The modernized railway freight capacity is expected to increase to 2.4 million tons per year, and the transportation time of goods may be reduced by nearly two-thirds. When it comes to the renovation and activation of the Tanzania Zambia Railway, Feri excitedly said that this railway has made an indelible contribution to Zambia's development. From our previous cooperation, we have witnessed the sincerity and strength of our Chinese friends. I believe that the upgrade of this route will inject new impetus into Zambia's development. As the sky darkens, the memorial park returns to tranquility. Standing in the center of the memorial park, the words' China's aid to martyrs will be immortalized 'are particularly clear. (New Society)