First donation package to Africa sent from Tianjin

The boat carrying the first package of donations to Africa following China-African Forum in Beijing has departed from Tianjin Port.

Twenty-two thousand tons of quality donated fertilizer and is headed for Zimbabwe.

According to a special agreement between China and Zimbabwe within the framework of bilateral cooperation, China will donate a total of 200 thousand tons of fertilizer.

A land-locked country in southern Africa, Zimbabwe mainly grows tobacco and agricultural crops. It uses a substantial amount of fertilizer every year.

Owing to the natural conditions of Beira Port in Mozambique where the goods are to be delivered, cargo ships can only port twice every month when the tides come in. To accommodate these limitations, the agency has asked that the unloading time be limited to 80 hours.

The Zimbabwean Ambassador to China went to Tianjin and watched the goods be loaded onto the boat.

Tianjin is the largest port in north China. It aims to be the center of international cargo transportation and navigation in north China. At present, ships from more 400 ports in over 180 countries in the world use this port. Every month, 400 container-laden cargo ships depart from this port. It's expected that Tianjin Port will have a total throughput of 250 million tons and 6 million standard containers of goods by the end of this year.

By People's Daily Online