China begins the first major project in Nicaragua after the establishment of diplomatic relations

Nicaragua began this Sunday the construction of more than 12,000 social homes with the support of the Chinese Agency for International Development Cooperation (CIDCA), the first major bilateral project after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Managua, in 2021.

“This is a truly historic day, this is a program that will benefit thousands of families Nicaraguans,” said Laureano Ortega Murillo, presidential adviser on investment, trade and cooperation, and son of President Daniel Ortega, according to the Nicaraguan outlet www.el19digital.com.

Ortega Murillo spoke in Managua during the inauguration of the works of the first phase of a social housing plan that includes the construction of 12,034 houses in 84 municipalities, 15 departments and two autonomous regions of the country.

“We are going to proudly say that we built these houses with the support and cooperation of the People’s Republic of China, our brother country, our friendly country, our allied country,” he said.

Since China and Nicaragua established diplomatic relations, in 2021, both countries have signed memorandums of understanding to promote investment Chinese in the Central American country.

In April 2022, the Asian giant promised to finance the construction of these homes in Nicaragua with 60 million dollars.

chinese too plans the construction of thermal plants to increase the electrical energy available in the country by 150 megawatts, in addition to other projects in education, economic growth, culture, health, infrastructure and sanitation.

According to Ortega Murillo, the housing project is “emblematic” because it is the “first” large “infrastructure project” in Nicaragua under the framework of cooperation with Beijing.

“China deeply appreciates all the support government provided Nicaraguan in international issues (…) especially the Taiwan issue,” said Luo Zhaohui, head of the China Cooperation Agency.

President Ortega asked on Saturday to expel Taiwan, an autonomous island that China considers a rebel province, as an observer of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and requested the incorporation of Russia into the bloc.

“SICA cannot continue admitting Taiwan into its system, that Yankee military base called Taiwan has to be withdrawn, expelled from SICA,” Ortega said.

Otega is a staunch critic of the United States and usually defends the positions of China and Russia in foreign policy.

In addition, he defended Beijing’s cooperation as “a sample” of the “principles” of Chinese President Xi Jinping to create “a new world” where all nations “can meet and live in peace, security and with respect for sovereignty.”