LOME, July 18 , 2008 -- Ground was broken on Friday for a rural primary school to be built near the capital city with Chinese aid -- another symbol of the long friendship between the two countries.

The school, to be located about 100 km northwest of Lome, is being built under a pledge by the Chinese government at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in November 2006.

Construction will be completed late this year. At a ceremony attended by Togo's Primary and Secondary Education Minister Yves Nagou in Agou province on Friday, Chinese Ambassador Yang Min said "Togo needs more skilled personnel for its economic development and this school will allow more of the province's children access to knowledge."

Nagou spoke highly of the Togo-China friendly cooperation in various fields and extended his heartfelt thanks to the Chinese government and people for their aid.