AFCON kicks off in Cote d'Ivoire, as China-Africa cooperation delivers results

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Excitement is mounting in Cote d'Ivoire as the streets of the West African country are packed with football fans who are here to attend the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The much-anticipated tournament kicked off Saturday night in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Cote d'Ivoire.

The event, spanning a month, will witness the participation of 24 national teams vying for glory at six stadiums across five cities.

The Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, is the venue for the opening and final matches of AFCON 2023 and many other matches.

The stadium, with a seating capacity of 60,000, was built by a Chinese company and handed over to the local government in 2020.

Chinese companies have also constructed two additional arenas and several key roads, addressing the potential congestion on Abidjan's thoroughfares during the tournament.

The connection between China and Africa, as exemplified in AFCON 2023, is part of broader ties nurtured on both sides and is expected to grow stronger.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service