China established diplomatic relations with Tanganyika and Zanzibar on December 9, 1961 and December 11, 1963 respectively. When Tanganyika and Zanzibar were united and became Tanzania on April 26, 1964, it is natural for China to extend its diplomatic ties with Tanzania. China took the union day as the date of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United Republic of Tanzania. Sino-Tanzanian relations have witnessed a long-term healthy and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Tanzanian first president Julius Nyerere visited China for five times during his presidency (1964-1985). In 1965, China and Tanzania signed "The Treaty of Friendship between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania". Many other agreements on bilateral co-operation in the fields of economy, trade, culture and health were also signed between the two countries. Tanzania actively supported China's efforts to return to the United Nations (UN). At the 26th General Assembly of the UN in 1971, Tanzania was among the sponsoring countries of the resolution supporting the restoration of all China's legitimate rights in the world body. During the presidency period of President Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1985-1995) and President Mkapa (1995-2005), Tanzania continued to pursue a friendly policy towards China, and the friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries were further consolidated and strengthened in various fields. President Jakaya Kikwete, since came to power in December 2005, has paid great attention to the relations between China and Tanzania. The friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries continued and further developed.

In January 1998, China and Tanzania signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on the Establishment of Honorary Consulate by the United Republic of Tanzania in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Tanzanian leaders who visited China are: President Julius Nyerere (February 1965, June 1968, March 1974, March 1981, August 1985 in the capacity of the president; April 1987, November 1989, August 1990, July 1991, September 1992, September 1993, September 1995, July 1997 in the capacity of the chairman of the South Commission), President Ali Hassan Mwinyi (March 1987, August 1992), President Benjamin William Mkapa (April 1998), Prime Minister E. M. Sokoine (September 1978), Prime Minister Salim Ahmed Salim (September 1984), Prime Minister John Samuel Malecela (September 1994), Zanzibar President Salmin Amour (November 1990, November 1996), Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye (March 2000), Mrs Amal, wife of Zanzibar President (March 2000), President Benjamin William Mkapa (October 2000), Zanzibar President Karume (August 2002), President Jakaya Kikwete (June 2001 as Foreign Minister, November 2006, April 2008).

The important visits to Tanzania by Chinese leaders and officials are: Premier Zhou Enlai (June 1965), Huang Hua (April 1980 as Foreign Minister, and December 1984 as Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress), Premier Zhao Ziyang (January 1983), State Councilor Chen Muhua (August 1983 and June 1986), State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian (May 1987), Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1991), Vice Premier Zhu Rongji (July 1995), State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Luo Gan (September 1996), Premier Li Peng (May 1997), Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (January1999), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Xu Jialu (January 1999) and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Song Jian (June 2002), Chairman of the CPPCC Li Ruihuan (February 2003), State Councilor Chen Zhili (July 2004), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Changchun (November 2005) and Premier Wen Jiabao (June 2006).