China donates US $4 million equipment

The People's Republic of China has donated equipment worth US $4 million to the Central African Republic (CAR), state-owned Radio Centrafrique reported on Tuesday. Chinese Ambassador El Si Ji made the donation, comprising 20,000 corrugated iron sheets, 110 computers, 3,000 bicycles and 60 mt of office furniture, on behalf of his government during a ceremony on Monday in the capital, Bangui. The iron sheets will be used to rebuild military barracks while the CAR transitional government will use the computers, bicycles and office furniture during general elections planned for early 2005. "China is following closely the development of the transition in CAR and rejoices that encouraging results are being obtained," El Si Ji, was quoted as saying. He added that China would continue to support CAR during its transition. The minister for international cooperation, Daniel Nditifei-Boissembe, received the donation on behalf of the CAR government. "CAR has experienced hardships and it will remain grateful to China for its constant material and financial assistance," he said. China was the first country to assist CAR following a 15 March 2003 coup by former armed forces chief of staff, Francois Bozize, who overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse after a six-month rebellion. On 11 March 2004, China granted the CAR a $ 2-million interest-free loan to help the government pay salary arrears owed to civil servants.