A newly built Guinea-Bissau courthouse funded by the Chinese Government was handed over to local authorities on Tuesday, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Guinea-Bissau’s President, José Mário Vaz, and other government officials – along with some diplomats posted to the African nation – attended the ceremony, the news agency said.

Mr Vaz described China as “an eternal partner of Guinea-Bissau”. “[China] is always on our people’s side,” he added in comments at the event.

The courthouse – serving four judicial institutions including the Supreme Court – cost US$20 million and was constructed by Chinese state-owned firm Jiangsu Jiangdu Construction Group Co in fewer than 16 months, Xinhua reported.

The Chinese Government has previously funded the construction of the government palace, the national assembly, the military hospital and a health school in Guinea Bissau, the report said.