Chinese diplomat lauds Sino-Cote d'Ivoire ties

Chinese ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire Zhang Guoqing has said the relationship between the two countries has grown stronger over 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between them.

"The reinforcement of friendship and cooperation is noticeable in all sectors," Zhang said in an interview, cited on Tuesday by local newspaper Fraternite Matin.

The Chinese diplomat whose mission to Cote d'Ivoire is nearing its end, cited high level visits to China by senior government officials, especially President Alassane Ouattara, Speaker of Parliament Guillaume Soro and Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan.

He recalled that the foreign ministers from both countries had signed an agreement to exempt holders of diplomatic passports of both countries from getting a visa while visiting either of the country.

On the economic and commercial front, Zhang noted that in 2014 alone, the two countries signed agreements worth 80 million U.S. dollars for grants to complete various projects and China gave Cote d'Ivoire a loan of about 100 million dollars.

Giving an assessment of achievements during his three year service in Cote d'Ivoire, Zhang cited China's support for the construction of an anti-malaria center, construction of various academic and health facilities, rehabilitation of various ministerial headquarters, construction of an Olympic stadium as well as establishment of a pilot energy project, without forgetting the donation of materials to fight Ebola virus.

"There were projects that were accomplished through Chinese loans, for instance the Abidjan-Grand Bassam road, Abidjan water supply project, construction of Soubre hydroelectric dam, expansion of Abidjan Autonomous Port and construction of housing units," the Chinese diplomat said.

On the cultural front, Zhang announced that the two countries will this July sign in China a three-year cultural cooperation agreement (2015-2018).

In the education and professional training sector, the Chinese diplomat recalled that each year, his government was offering Cote d'Ivoire students about 60 scholarships, besides 30 other scholarships offered by other Chinese institutions. He also cited the establishment of a Chinese language teaching center in Abidjan.

"My conviction and that of the Chinese people is that the friendship between the two countries is mutual," the outgoing Chinese ambassador said.

"The friendly people of Cote d'Ivoire have equally supported us in our efforts to achieve our goal of building a modern socialist, prosperous, powerful, democratic, civilized and peaceful state by the year 2050," he concluded.

Zhang Guoqing is the seventh Chinese ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1983. Endi