Mindelo city in Cape Verde
The Chinese government will increase support for Cape Verde, with priorities focusing on the health, education and agricultural sectors, Chinese ambassador to Cabo Verde, Su Jean, told Cape Verdean news agency Inforpress.
The diplomat, who ends his duties next Friday, 20 February, after about two years as ambassador, said that in 2014 Chinese aid to the archipelago amounted to USD25 million, which would increase to US$30 million this year.
“The trend is for aid to increase every year,” said Su Jian, noting that beyond this amount, his country had helped Cape Verde in other ways such as sending a medical team, offering scholarships, vocational training and cultural, economic and business exchange.
If we consider the fact that Cape Verde is a country with about 500,000 inhabitants, it can be said that is the African country that benefits most from Chinese aid in ‘per capita’ terms, which means that China is one of the country’s main partners, said Su Jian.
The diplomat gave assurances that Chinese technicians would do everything possible for work to build access roads to National Stadium, the educational complex on Sal Island and refurbishment of the Presidential Palace to be ready later this year, so the projects can be delivered as a gift on the 40th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Su Jean said that this year work would begin on the Agricultural Products Processing Centre, near the Poilão dam, on the laundry of Agostinho Neto Hospital in Praia, the solar energy testing project and the process of designing a new campus for Cape Verde University.
According to Su Jian, China’s government will finance and build a modern flagship university, making it one of the largest Chinese projects in Cabo Verde.
The diplomat noted that this year the 2nd meeting of the Joint Commission and economic trade between the two countries is scheduled to be held and is intended to analyze and promote economic, business and trade cooperation.
China established diplomatic relations with Cape Verde on 25 April 1976 and has since cooperated with the archipelago in several areas, most notably the construction of infrastructure. MDT/Macauhub
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