Ghana has received an interest-free loan of 20 million yuan RMB (¢ 22.195 billion) from the Chinese government. The agreement to this effect was signed by Hon. Li Jinzhang, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of China who was paying a working visit to Ghana at the invitation of the Ghanaian Foreign Ministry, and Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Ghana in Accra on August 30th. The facility is the eleventh interest-free loan extended to Ghana by the Government of China.

Ghana and China have reached another agreement under which the Chinese Government will dispatch a group of specialists to Ghana to conduct a preliminary feasibility study on the railway rehabilitation project. President J. A. Kufuor made this known when Hon. Li paid a courtesy call on him on the same day at the Castle, Osu.

The President lauded the friendly relations between the two countries and commended the Chinese Government for the financial assistance offered to Ghana over the years and the numerous development projects being undertaken jointly by China and Ghana. He reiterated that he was very satisfied with the good job being done by the Chinese road construction firm, which was undertaking portions of the Accra-Kumasi Road and the Madina-Aburi Road project. President Kufuor stressed the need for Ghana and China to strengthen bilateral relations and explore potentials for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Hon. Li, on his part, lauded the cordial relations that had existed between the two countries over the years, saying that the Chinese Government highly valued President Kufuor's positive role at strengthening the two countries' relations. He said China shared a lot in common with Ghana, which was one of the first African countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. Hon. Li also expressed the hope on behalf of the Chinese Government to enhance co-operation with Ghana in all fields for the interests of the two countries and two peoples.

Previously, Hon. Li met with Hon. Akufo-Addo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana, and exchanged views on a series of international issues. Also present at the above-mentioned meetings was H. E. Zhang Keyuan, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana.