COTONOU, Nov. 1 -- Benin Health Minister Allassane Seidou on Monday paid tribute to members of the 20th Chinese medical mission that ends assignment in the country.

"We want to say a big Thank You to you all," he said at a ceremony presenting congratulatory letters to the team, noting that the letters were "symbols of Benin people's satisfaction."

The 27-strong Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in October 2015 and served in three hospitals for a whole year.

"You have accepted to leave your families and friends to come and work in Benin, thousands of kilometers away from homeland, to make available your knowledge and know-how to save the lives of several thousands of people in remote areas of Benin," the minister said.

He also praised the openness and the efficiency of the Chinese physicians, saying that the hardworking Chinese doctors have set a fine example for many to followEnditem