Building of disease control center feted

ADDIS ABABA — The African Union Commission, or AUC, has presented letters of appreciation to Chinese construction workers in recognition of their "extraordinary and professional cooperation" in the construction of the China-aided Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters.

The AUC on Friday lauded members of the Chinese engineering, technical and logistics teams at a ceremony held inside the newly built premises of the Africa CDC headquarters in the southern suburb of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

"We express our gratitude to the government of China for constructing such a prestigious facility, which is another symbol of Africa and China friendship," said Angela Martins, acting director of Social Development, Culture and Sports of the AUC, while presenting the letters of appreciation.

Officially inaugurated in January, the Africa CDC headquarters is a flagship project of cooperation between China and Africa.

"We expect continued support from the Chinese government in operationalizing this facility. We also look forward to strengthening friendship between China and Africa in other areas," Martins said.

Major actor

The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, or CCECC, had undertaken the construction of the Africa CDC project while the AUC team had been the major actor in the project.

"We are celebrating the achievement from engineering, technical and logistical support, ensuring the quality standard of the facility and resolving all day-to-day challenges while maintaining the smooth progress to give us this prestigious facility," Martins said.

Hu Changchun, head of Mission of China to the AU, said the successful completion of the project is the result of joint efforts of both sides in team interaction, coordination, communication, and problem-solving, and is a model of unity and cooperation between teams from China and Africa.

Xinhua