Seeds of friendship

In a calligraphy class, He Chenxi, a student from the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School, carefully penned the phrase, "The friendship between our two countries is as deep as a mighty river", voicing his hope that this relationship would endure as steadfastly as the Jinzi River that flows through Jinping county.

The Jinzi River is a beloved and familiar landmark for local children. In the classroom, some children dressed in traditional costumes performed while singing a melodious song about the Jinzi River for their peers from Equatorial Guinea.

At present, more than 2,000 students from 16 ethnic groups are studying at the primary school, where symbols of China-Equatorial Guinea friendship are prominent. Decorations highlight Equatorial Guinea's geography, customs and goods, while the exhibition room showcases students' artworks, celebrating the bond between the two countries.

In April 2015, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo announced to donate the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School to Jinping county in Southwest China's Yunnan province as a gesture of goodwill and solidarity with the Chinese people.

The construction of the school was completed in 2016, and it has since stood as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two countries.

"The children found themselves in spacious and bright classrooms within a five-story building, and the once muddy hillside was transformed into a well-built playground," said Ran Hongyan, the school's principal.

Ran said the school has a room for showcasing children's photographs, and crafts and paintings about the friendship between the two countries.

"Our teachers would tell us about the history and friendship between our school and Equatorial Guinea," said Ma Ziyi, a student.

Since establishing diplomatic relations over half a century ago, China and Equatorial Guinea have maintained cooperation and exchanges in various fields, yielding noticeable outcomes.

"Equatorial Guinea and China have established diplomatic ties for over half a century, supporting each other through ups and downs," said Jose Antonio Nguema Owono, a student of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea.

He said China's assistance in building the Djibloho Hydropower Station, the Port of Bata, and the donation of COVID-19 vaccines have all been well received by the local residents.

"The China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School was funded by our government, while key projects such as the Nkue-Mongomo Road here were supported by Chinese companies," said another student Jose Luis Mitogo Eyen Eyene.

"I believe the bridge of cultural exchange between the two countries will become wider …bringing the hearts of the people closer together," said Fernando Garcia, the Equatorial Guinean director of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea.

"Talent is the future," Obiang told Xinhua in an interview, expressing his satisfaction over the children's education and the facilities at the school. "In this regard, we share a profound consensus with China, and that is precisely why we donated this elementary school."

Xinhua