China News Service, Beijing, December 26 (Xie Yanbing) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning hosted a regular press conference on December 26.

  A reporter asked: A few days ago, the first phase of the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line project in Nigeria, undertaken by a Chinese company, was successfully completed, becoming the first electrified light rail in West Africa, adding new achievements to the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road".

What is the spokesperson's comment?

  Mao Ning: The first phase of the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line project is the first electrified light rail in West Africa and the largest infrastructure project ever invested in Lagos State.

The completion of the project will greatly relieve local traffic pressure, facilitate people's travel, boost economic development, and provide experience for rail transit construction in Nigeria and other countries in West Africa.

  This year, the "Belt and Road" cooperation has been steadily advancing, and good news has been reported frequently. Another five countries have signed cooperation documents with China on the joint construction of the "Belt and Road".

In the first 11 months of this year, the trade volume between China and its “Belt and Road” partners bucked the trend and increased by 20.4%.

A large number of landmark projects have come to fruition, the first high-speed railway in ASEAN has been put into trial operation, the first expressway in Cambodia has been officially opened to traffic, the Peljesac Bridge in Croatia, and the Karot Hydropower Station in Pakistan have been put into operation.

The high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" has created a new engine to promote the development of all countries, and is sincerely welcomed by the people of the joint construction countries.

  Next year will be the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road" initiative.

We are willing to work with all parties to sum up the achievements and draw a new blueprint to make the "Belt and Road", a "development belt" that benefits the world, more prosperous and a "road to happiness" that benefits mankind broader.

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