President Hu inaugurates China-aided bridge in Mali

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-14-2009 12:25

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Chinese President, Hu Jintao, and his Malian counterpart, Amadou Toumany Toure, have inaugurated a China-aided bridge construction project in the Malian capital of Bamako druing his visit to the country.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd L Front) and his  Malian counterpart Amadou Toumany Toure (3rd R Front) attend  an inauguration of a China-aided bridge construction project  in Bamako, capital of Mali, Feb. 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

The bridge will be constructed by a Chinese company and will play an important role after its completion in the economic development of the western African country.

At the inauguration ceremony, President Hu Jintao said the bridge is China's largest free-aid project in West Africa. He added that the project indicates that the relationship between China and Mali has stepped into a new era.

For his part, President Toure expressed his gratitude to China for its contribution. He also thanked President Hu Jintao for attending the inauguration of the bridge. He said the project will be named the "Sino-Mali Friendship Bridge."