by Arison Tamfu, Wang Ze
YAOUNDE, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Abdoulaye Mohammed could not hide his admiration as he gazed at the striking architecture of the Yaounde Conference Center in Cameroon.
The iconic venue is hosting the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which opened on Thursday.
"It is truly magnificent," said the Chadian national, who arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday to attend the conference.
Adorned with the colors of the conference, the building glows spectacularly at night, offering a festive welcome to international attendees. "When I looked at it from afar, I was amazed by its beauty and proud that such a building is in Africa and hosting a mega international event," Mohammed said.
Ulrich Rodrigue, a journalist from the Central African Republic covering the conference, said, "The venue is stunning, drawing everyone's attention with its grandeur and elegance. Its vibrant decorations and modern architecture perfectly blend in with the Yaounde streets."
Perched atop Nkol-Nyada hill, the Yaounde Conference Center was constructed in the 1980s as a China-aided project and has since become one of Cameroon's most recognizable landmarks.
The center is divided into three pavilions, featuring a 1,500-seat inaugural hall, a 400-seat tripartite hall, two 100-seat halls, and several smaller rooms accommodating 50 guests. Two large halls of nearly 2,000 square meters each, a hall balcony, and two lobbies further enhance its versatility. The entire site spans 18 hectares. From its hilltop perch, it offers sweeping panoramic views of Yaounde.
Michel Ndongo, who lives three km from the main entrance, recalls witnessing the building's construction firsthand. "This place was just a hill covered in trees, like a forest. When the Chinese arrived here and started the construction, we never thought we would see such a beautiful building," said the 72-year-old resident.
Ndongo observed the painstaking work of Chinese and local builders, brick by brick, as they turned the hill into a centerpiece shaping the city's skyline.
Today, the Yaounde Conference Center stands not only for its architectural elegance but also for its central role in Cameroonian public life.
"The building, designed as a conference center, has a multi-purpose space for any political, economic, or socio-cultural activities. The center is a symbol of elegance, prestige, and national pride," said Christophe Mien Zok, general manager of the Yaounde Conference Center.
"Since its inauguration, it has hosted a diverse array of events, including political summits, international conferences, academic colloquiums, official ceremonies, cultural festivals, and even large weddings and concerts," Zok added.
Edwin Arrey Etta, a Cameroonian delegate attending the conference, highlighted the center as a testament to Sino-Cameroonian cooperation.
"This infrastructure has now become a historical landmark, and we thank the Chinese for their friendship," Etta said. ■