STORY: China-built bridge officially opens in Abidjan
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 10, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:11
LOCATION: ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the bridge
2. various of the inauguration ceremony of the bridge
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): ROBERT BEUGRE MAMBE, Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire
4. various of Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire attending the inauguration ceremony
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): IBRAHIM DIABY, Director general of the High Council of the Board of Road Transport Companies of Cote d'Ivoire
6. various of traffic
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): IVE KOUAKOU, Local worker
8. various of the bridge

STORYLINE:

A bridge constructed by a Chinese company officially opened to traffic in Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday.

The bridge is expected to alleviate congestion on the roads as tens of thousands of football fans from various parts of the world are coming to the country for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): ROBERT BEUGRE MAMBE, Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire
"We are very pleased to see that the President of Cote d'Ivoire has invested a lot of money in providing high-level transportation infrastructure in Abidjan.
These investments have improved Abidjan's transportation conditions and promoted the development of the city's economy and the national economy of Cote d'Ivoire."

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): IBRAHIM DIABY, Director general of the High Council of the Board of Road Transport Companies of Cote d'Ivoire
"Today we are happy and proud. The opening of the 4th Abidjan Bridge project will have a positive impact on citizens' travel and road transportation.
As Ivorian citizens, we are delighted with the relations that Cote d'Ivoire is building with China.
We all see the contribution of Chinese engineers, and we also see the positive impact that Chinese technology has brought to our economy, so we can't but be happy about it."

SOUNDBITE 3 (French): IVE KOUAKOU, Local worker
"Thanks to China and Cote d'Ivoire for the cooperation, thanks to China State Construction Engineering Corporation, and thanks to all those who have worked hard for this bridge.
We are very grateful to Chinese companies for the opportunities they provide to African workers, and again thank China and Cote d'Ivoire for their cooperation.

The bridge, with a total length of about 7 km, opened two days ahead of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, which will run through Feb. 11.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
(XHTV)