List of theaters built by China as aid explained

The construction of theaters, opera houses, and other cultural facilities by China as gifts to foreign countries is a part of China's foreign aid program.^[1] In a white paper published by China in 2009 on its aid projects in the area of civil construction, the building of cultural facilities is one of the types identified among a total of 2,025 projects stated as built by a Chinese grant or no-interest loan to the recipient country.

• • • Algeria A national opera house in Algiers is under construction as a US$40 million gift by China to Algeria.^[2] The foundation stone for the 1400-seat venue was laid in a ceremony in November 2012.
• Cameroon
  • The Palais des Congrès de Yaoundé was built by China and opened in 1982. The venue is a 1,500-seat multipurpose performance hall with "an ultra-modern stage boasting the country's best sound and lighting equipment."^[3]
    • Ghana The National Theatre in Accra was opened in January 1993 after construction by China.^[4] The theatre is a gift as the loan from China funding the construction would later be cancelled in 2007. China granted a further US$2 million to refurbish the theatre for Ghana's golden jubilee celebrations.
  • The Drama Studio at the University of Ghana at Legon was built under the program as the original work on the National Theatre.
    • Mauritius The Plaza Theatre in Rose Hill was renovated in 2008 using funds provided by China in the form of a non-interest loan.^[5]
    • Senegal The Grand Theatre in Dakar was constructed from 2008 to 2011 by Complant as a gift.^[6] The six-storey, 1800-seat theatre was built at a cost of 16 billion CFA francs, of which China paid 14 billion CFA francs and Senegal contributed the rest.
  • Construction on a Museum of Black Civilization located in Dakar began in 2011, funded by a grant of $US30 million from China.^[7] The contractor for the project is the Shanghai Construction Group.
    • Somalia National Theatre of Somalia was built by China as a gift to Somalia in 1967.^[8]
    • Sri Lanka Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre is theatre in Colombo built in 2011 by China as gift to enhance ties with Sri Lanka.^[9] Construction of the 1288-seat venue was handled by the Yanjian Group.
    • Trinidad and Tobago National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain

Notes and References

1. News: China's Foreign Aid. https://web.archive.org/web/20110502102737/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/21/c_13839683_6.htm. dead. May 2, 2011. Xinhua. 2011-04-21.
2. News: China hopes to hit the right note with Algeria opera house. The Guardian. April 29, 2013.
3. Book: Rubin, Don. The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Africa. 1997. Taylor & Francis. 87.
4. Book: Barnham, Martin. A History of Theatre in Africa. 2004. Cambridge University Press. 167.
5. Web site: Interest-free loan for Plaza Theatre. AidData.
6. News: Senegal opens Chinese-built theatre. AFP. April 15, 2011.
7. News: Senegal's president lays foundation stone for Black Civilization Museum. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221211300/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/culture/2011-12/21/c_131319705.htm. dead. February 21, 2014. Xinhua. December 21, 2011.
8. News: Somalia national theatre reopens after 20 years. The Telegraph. 20 March 2012.
9. News: Artistic talent to flower with Chinese generosity. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). December 11, 2011.