NIAMEY, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China has given Niger an aid of 300 million yuans (over 45 million U.S. dollars) to fund several development projects, an official source said Monday in Niamey.

The source said the economic and technical cooperation agreement was signed on July 29 in Beijing by Niger's Deputy Foreign Minister El Back Zeinabou Tari Bako.

She was in the Chinese capital to attend the meeting of coordinators monitoring the implementation of agreements during the Forum on China Africa Cooperation held in Johannesburg last year.

The funds will enable Nigerien government to complete construction of a referral hospital in Niamey, the third bridge along River Niger, as well as other development projects.

Cooperation between China and Niger dates a long time ago and China has invested considerable resources to support Niger's development actions in different socio-economic sectors.

Some of the projects constructed by China include General Seyni Kountche stadium, various roads, the second bridge on river Niger, the water project in Zinder, schools and training equipment in the health sector.

Once completed, the Niamey general referral hospital that will have a capacity of 500 beds, will become the biggest and most modern referral hospital in West Africa.

Tari Bako said the expected completion of the third bridge on river Niger will help to ease traffic on both sides of the river in Niamey.

"African countries should continue supporting the implementation of projects agreed upon during the Johannesburg Forum for the benefit of our states," she concluded.