Monrovia – The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel McGill, has been placed in charge of coordinating the affairs of the country in the absence of President George Manneh Weah, who left the country to participate in the ongoing 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]
While the President is away, Mr. McGill will chair the affairs of the Cabinet in close consultation with the Vice President, Madam Jewel Howard Taylor and via telephone conversation with the President.
President Weah departed the country on Monday, August 27th, for Beijing, China to join other African leaders for FOCAC.
On Thursday, July 19, 2018, during the dedication of two newly constructed annexes by the Chinese Government, Pres. Weah recounted China’s numerous contributions to Liberia. He noted that their contributions will always be remembered by the people of Liberia.
The President recounted: “Liberia and the People’s Republic of China have had a longstanding relationship for over 40 years. The relationship continues on the path of growing stronger for the benefits of both the peoples of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China.”
The Liberian Leader is expected to also use the visit to explore new frontiers for increased trade between Liberia and China for the mutual benefit of both countries.
He is accompanied by an array of government officials, including Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, Information, Cultural Affairs Minister L. Eugene Nagbe, among others.
The President is expected to return to Liberia on September 9, 2018.
The FOCAC summit with theme, “China and Africa: Toward An Even Stronger Community with A Shared Future through Win-win Cooperation,” will be convened in Beijing from September 3rd to the 4th, 2018.
The leaders from Africa and China will meet against the background of a world becoming increasingly multipolar with a globalized rising cultural diversity, and more and more digitalized societies. African leaders, representatives of related regional organizations in Africa and international organizations will participate in the summit.
The objectives of FOCAC include equal consultation, enhancing understanding, expanding consensus, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation between African countries and China.