YUSHU, Qinghai, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Construction on an elementary school funded by the Republic of Congo was completed on Sunday in Yushu, a quake-hit Tibetan prefecture in west China.

The school, located in Yushu's Chengduo county, was built with the help of 16 million yuan (about 2.51 million U.S. dollars) donated by the Republic of Congo.

Although our economic capacity is limited, we should extend the help, said Foreign Minister of the Republic of Congo Basile Ikouebe at a ceremony held to commemorate the completion.

Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of Congo, expressed his country's willingness to donate while attending the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Yushu and killed 2,698 people in April 2010.

China initially suggested that the Republic of Congo make a less expensive donation for fear of burdening the African country. However, China finally decided to accept the assistance because of the insistence of the Republic of Congo.

The friendship is mutual, as China has also offered us much assistance, said Basile Ikouebe, noting that China helped the Republic of Congo to repair roads after an explosion impaired one of the country's military factories.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)