China-funded Salvadoran National Library lays foundation stone

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the China-funded national library of EI Salvador was held in the country's capital San Salvador, on Feb 3, 2022. Chinese Ambassador to EI Salvador Ou Jianhong and President of EL Salvador Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez attended the ceremony. 

Ou offered congratulations to Bukele on the third anniversary of his victory in the presidential election. She also wished a happy Chinese New Year to Chinese compatriots living in El Salvador.

She said that China and EI Salvador have achieved steady development in their bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties three years ago. The national library project is a good embodiment of the China-EI Salvador friendship and vivid portrayal of mutual assistance and joint development between the peoples of the two countries. The project embodies the consensus and trust between the two heads of state, carries the hope for common prosperity among peoples in the two countries, and brings together the original aspirations of hard work of teams from the two countries. 

She said she believes that the project will improve the cultural and educational infrastructure of EI Salvador, enrich the people's cultural life, and facilitate cultural exchanges between the two countries. 

Bukele extended his sincere appreciation to the Chinese leader, government and people for their strong and selfless support to the socio-economic development of EI Salvador. 

He said that the national library project, together with the national stadium project, the La Libertad wharf and the lopango Lake water purification plant, were all assistance projects backed by China, adding that these projects were part of an important consensus reached by the two heads of state during his visit to China in 2019. The EI Salvadoran government attaches great importance to people's livelihoods and the development of young people as well as cultural and educational affairs, and is committed to building the country into the one that is held ideal by its people, he said. 

The national library is considered the largest cultural and educational project in EI Salvador over the last hundred years, according to Bukele. Upon completion, it will be one of the most modern libraries in Latin America which benefits people in this and future generations, he added.  

After their speeches, Ou and Bukele jointly laid the foundation stone for the project. 

Over 2,000 people, including government officials from the two countries, representatives from the construction teams, as well as EI Salvadoran media outlets, attended the ceremony.