This photo taken on June 13, 2026 shows a section of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 in Taolagnaro, Madagascar. A ceremony marking the official completion of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 was held on Saturday in Taolagnaro, a coastal city in southeastern Madagascar, with the participation of the country's President Michael Randrianirina and Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison. Constructed by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the first phase of National Road No. 12 is located in the Anosy region in the southeast of the country. It spans approximately 45 kilometers and includes five bridges. Upon completion and opening to traffic, it will become a major transport artery in southeastern Madagascar. (Xinhua/Chen Shaohua)
TAOLAGNARO, Madagascar, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony marking the official completion of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 was held on Saturday in Taolagnaro, a coastal city in southeastern Madagascar, with the participation of the country's President Michael Randrianirina and Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison.
Constructed by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the first phase of National Road No. 12 is located in the Anosy region in the southeast of the country. It spans approximately 45 kilometers and includes five bridges. Upon completion and opening to traffic, it will become a major transport artery in southeastern Madagascar.
During the completion ceremony, Randrianirina said that the official completion and commissioning of the project were of great importance to the populations living along the road, who had long suffered from poor transport conditions.
Despite numerous difficulties encountered during construction, the project team had gradually overcome these obstacles and achieved tangible results, he added.
The president also asked local residents during his speech about their level of satisfaction with the quality of the project, and they unanimously responded that they were "satisfied".
According to Qiu Yuliang, deputy general manager of China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. International Company, the project constitutes an important component of Madagascar's national road network. Its completion would significantly improve local transport conditions, reduce logistics costs and enhance the efficiency of fishery product transportation along the road while promoting the development of sectors such as fisheries, mining, and tourism.
Another ceremony marking the launch of the second phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 project was also held here on the same day by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. ■
Madagascar's President Michael Randrianirina (1st L) delivers a speech at a ceremony marking the official completion of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 in Taolagnaro, Madagascar, June 13, 2026.
A ceremony marking the official completion of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 was held on Saturday in Taolagnaro, a coastal city in southeastern Madagascar, with the participation of the country's President Michael Randrianirina and Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison.
Constructed by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the first phase of National Road No. 12 is located in the Anosy region in the southeast of the country. It spans approximately 45 kilometers and includes five bridges. Upon completion and opening to traffic, it will become a major transport artery in southeastern Madagascar. (Xinhua/Chen Shaohua)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2026 shows a section of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 in Taolagnaro, Madagascar.
A ceremony marking the official completion of the first phase of the Chinese-built National Road No. 12 was held on Saturday in Taolagnaro, a coastal city in southeastern Madagascar, with the participation of the country's President Michael Randrianirina and Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison.
Constructed by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the first phase of National Road No. 12 is located in the Anosy region in the southeast of the country. It spans approximately 45 kilometers and includes five bridges. Upon completion and opening to traffic, it will become a major transport artery in southeastern Madagascar. (China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)
