Chinese Government provides RMB 60 million grant — via ETCA — for Channel Bridge Construction Project (Linked to Record ID#40001)

Project narrative

On October 14, 2011, the Chinese Ambassador and the FSM Secretary of of Foreign Affairs signed an exchange of letters in which the Chinese Government agreed to finance a team of experts to carry out a survey project in Okat, Kosrae for the Channel Bridge Construction Project (as captured via Record ID#40001). Then, on December 4, 2012, the Chinese Ambassador and the FSM Secretary of of Foreign Affairs signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement (ETCA) on behalf of their respective governments, which committed RMB 60 million of grant funding for an unspecified purpose. According to Congressional Resolution No. 18-158, all of these ETCA funds were eventually allocated to the Channel Bridge Construction Project. The project involved the construction of a 96.2 meter-long and 9.5 meter-wide bridge (known as Channel Bridge, Okat Bridge, and Kosrae Bridge) in the Okat district of Kosrae Island. The purpose of this project was to connect the main Kosrae islands with the airport, port, and other commercial areas and therefore encourage transportation and business development. Sichuan Road & Bridge Group Corporation was the contractor responsible for implementation. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 7, 2014. China Railway 17th Bureau Group conducted a mid-term inspection on August 7, 2015. At the time, construction was expected to end in April 2016. The project was officially completed and handed over to the local authorities on January 21, 2016.