Monrovia – Liberia and China have witnessed “significant comprehensive and tangible progress in the development of our friendship and cooperation” since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two governments, says President George Manneh Weah.
Report by Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, [email protected]
The Liberian leader said the “steadfast” diplomatic ties between the world’s most populous nation and his country is “reliable bilaterally and internationally”.
President Weah was speaking at an event on Thursday, September 19 at the embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Congo Town during an event commemorating the country’s 70 independence anniversary.
“The reason for this [the diplomatic relations] is that we treat each other as equal partner. We promote our relations on a win-win basis of mutual understanding, mutual benefits, and make our cooperation transparent and accountable,” he said.
He reassured that his government is “firmed” and commitment to the ‘One China policy’, which he added “goes beyond consolidating the relations and shows that Liberians are supportive” of the friendship.
“The progress made under the current Liberia-China relationship is an indication of the trust and confidence that both of our governments have for each other,” he added, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation.
He then wished the People’s Republic of China to continue enjoying the “blessings of peace, prosperity, political cohesion, and sustained economic growth”.
And he admitted that the relationship has resulted into enormous benefit for the entire Africa continent based on win-win approach.
“It is becoming increasingly evident that China’s cooperation with Africa has its focus on poverty reduction through the robust economic growth and development, through the mechanism of the Forum on China Africa Forum.
“Beyond economic development, FOCAC is view by many as a means of promoting peace and security on the African continent,” he said, while mentioning the impact of several China-funded projects in Liberia.
He added that FOCAC falls in line with his government’s Pro-Poor Agenda and pointed out that the newly constructed ministerial complex, annex at the Capitol [home of the legislature], the modern terminal and runway at the Roberts International Airport, and several major roads projects have imparted the country.
“The government and people of Liberia are very pleased with the level of technical and economic assistance the government and people of China continue to provide to us Liberia,” President Weah said.
At the same time, Chinese Ambassador Fu Jijun said that “with the kind support “from Liberia and the international partners his country has made remarkable progress.
“China’s GDP rose from 67.9 billion Yuan in 1952 to more than 90 trillion Yuan in 2018, increased more than 1,300 million times,” Ambassador Fu said, outlining some of the progress his nation has achieved in recent years.
He mentioned that China is reforming its economy to deal with shocks. He said the world’s second largest economy remains “one of the fastest growing economies and driving force of the world’s growth and stability”.
“Since the founding of China in 1949, the Chinese government has been pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration with international partners.”
China has been the second largest contributor of UN expenditure and peacekeeping forces that have made “great contribution” to global peace, he said.
Also outlining some of the progress of the ties between China and Africa, Ambassador Fu outline that trade volume has reached US$204.2 billion on an annual basis and his country remains Africa’s largest trading partner for the past 10 years.
By the end of 2018, China investments, which focuses on industry and exports in Africa will exceed US$46 billion.