A China-funded school for male students is seen in the West Bank city of Ramallah on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
RAMALLAH, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China-funded projects have positively facilitated the daily life of Palestinians in the densely-populated West Bank city of Ramallah, according to Palestinian officials and locals.
In 2018, the Ramallah municipality established a massive China-funded ring road to ease traffic woes in the territory.
"The project, funded with over 8 million U.S. dollars, is going to pave nine roads over 7.5 km in length," said Odai al-Hindi, director of the projects department in Ramallah, adding "the construction took about 14 months."
Life has been made easier in this area as people can move freely, al-Hindi said, adding that this project is a medium-term solution to the city's growing traffic problem until a larger road network plan is put into action, which requires Israeli permits.
Ramallah, a city of 19 square km and home to a population of almost 70,000, is the political and economic hub for the Palestinian Authority.
"In the past, we had to spend more than 45 minutes to go to hospital if there is no traffic jam, but now we can reach there in five minutes only," Ahmed Ghabatra, a local resident, told Xinhua.
China also funded a school for male students in Ein Mesbah town in Ramallah in 2021.
Ein Mesbah, one of the most densely-populated towns, had no school for males, forcing them to walk for tens of km to reach the nearest school in the neighboring town.
"The school was modern, as it is equipped with smart classrooms and laboratories, integrated sound systems, smart lighting systems, and energy-saving solar energy units," al-Hindi said, adding that all facilities are accessible for people with disabilities.
The school teaches students from the fifth grade till high school, who can enjoy a healthy school environment that stimulates creativity, said Mohammed Rabea, secretary of the school's director.
"This school is a nucleus for spreading knowledge among the students who live in this area, as it is considered a real increase in the educational process in the Palestinian society, which is keen on knowledge and learning," Rabea added.
Ghabatra, al-Hindi, and Rabea expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and people for funding the ring road and the school that would bring long-term benefits. ■
Vehicles run on a China-funded ring road in the West Bank city of Ramallah on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
