NIAMEY - China has agreed to fund the construction of the third bridge on the River Niger in the Nigerien capital Niamey at a cost of 20 billion CFA Francs ($42 million), according to Chinese Ambassador to the lank- locked African country Shi Hu.

Ambassador Shi made the announcement Friday after a meeting with Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou.

Chinese technicians will soon come to Niamey to carry out feasibility studies before the start of construction works.

The Nigerien government hailed the pragmatic nature of Sino- Nigerien cooperation.

China funded the construction of the second bridge in Niamey known as "China-Niger Friendship Bridge," which was inaugurated in 2012. China also funded the construction of the first inter-change in the Nigerien capital.

In 2013 alone, China funded the construction of a four-star hotel in Niamey and a referral hospital in the city, which is among the most modern in the West African region.