Eritrea has hailed a Chinese medical team deployed to the country to provide medical assistance.

The East African country’s ministry of information said the Chinese team was a mark of the budding relations between the two sides.

The medical team has been deployed in Eritrea for one year, and has provided medical assistance to thousands of people from across the country.

The team’s deployment officially came to an end on Sunday with a farewell ceremony attended by Eritrean government officials and the Chinese ambassador to the country, Yang Zigang.

“Eritrea is grateful to the professionalism and outstanding services provided by the Chinese medical team and further welcomes the coming of the 13th new Chinese medical team,” the statement from Eritrea’s ministry of information said.

According to the Chinese embassy in Eritrea, over 200 Chinese doctors and other health professionals have provided free medical services in Eritrea since 1997.

China has been a source of medical expertise for Africa for years.

Other than Eritrea, Chinese doctors have provided free medical services to over 40 countries within Africa, including South Sudan and Rwanda.