Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan President João Lourenço expressed on Thursday in Luanda, gratitude for China’s aid in rebuilding Angola’s infrastructure following the end of the civil war.
The president made the statement at the opening of the 8th awards ceremony, which is part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of National Independence on November 11, adding that, at the time the war ended, China granted substantial financing for the reconstruction of Angola’s infrastructure.
These funds, the president said, enabled the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed during the war, including roads, bridges, substations, electrical transmission networks, and water production, treatment, and distribution systems. China also financed the rehabilitation of the Benguela Railway, which is now the main asset of the Lobito Corridor.
Lourenço said the Chinese funds also helped Angola to build large, modern ports and airports, such as the Port of Caio in Cabinda and the newly unveiled international airport in Icolo e Bengo province.
The Angolan president also thanked Eastern European countries, especially the former Soviet Union, for their help. He said they were crucial for achieving independence and national sovereignty, as well as for preserving and consolidating it and helped train young cadres in their universities and military academies.
He acknowledged the help of the Cuban people, starting with the daring Operation Carlota, which paved the way for Cuban soldiers to participate in major military operations in Angola against foreign invaders.
The Head of State highlighted the significant number of young Angolans who have received training in Cuba in civilian and military specialties, as well as the countries’ cooperation in education and health.
President João Lourenço thanked Brazil for being “the first country to witness the birth of a new country and recognize it when everyone else preferred to wait and see.”
He praised the National Bank for Economic and Social Development for providing credit for infrastructure projects, including the Kapanda Hydroelectric Power Plant, the first large dam built in independent Angola.
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