WORLD> Africa
Guinea-Bissau's government building under construction
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-29 13:42

DAKAR -- The ground was broken on Thursday in Guinea-Bissau's capital Bissau to start the construction of the country's government office building, news reaching here said.

The project, sponsored by China, will be completed in 20 months with an investment of $22 million.

Guinea-Bissau's President Joao Bernardo Vieira and Chinese Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Yan Banghua co-chaired the foundation stone laying ceremony.

Vieira said that friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries are very solid and have yielded fruitful results, adding that the Guinea-Bissau government was sincerely grateful for China's generous help.

Yan said the Chinese government will continue to provide Guinea-Bissau aid within its power and support its peace process, noting that it is an important content of China's African policy to help maintain peace, promote development and strengthen cooperation.

When finished, the Guinea Bissau government building will be able to house all the governmental departments at ministerial levels.