The building, situated in the north of the capital Bissau, took 18 months to build and consists of three large blocks that can accommodate 12 ministries.

It is "a symbol of the fruitful cooperation long held with China who we thank from the bottom of our hearts," said Sanha at the inauguration.

At Sanha's side was the Chinese ambassador to Guinea-Bissau, Li Bao Jun.

"It is the fruit of frank and enduring cooperation," said Li.

China has already played a hand in other projects in Bissau including the National Assembly, built in 2000 for six million dollars, a military hospital with 200 beds that cost 12 million dollars, as well as a 25,000-seat stadium.

Beijing has also financed renovation work on barracks, hospitals and has invested in the west African country's agriculture sector.

China is interested in offshore oil exploration and the vast forest and fishing wealth of Guinea-Bissau.

But the country has been chronically unstable since independence from Portugal in 1974 with coups, army mutinies and political murders. It has also in recent years been turned into a drug trafficking hub by South American barons targetting European markets.

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