Monrovia – Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Yin Chengwu has appreciated Liberia including entities operating in Liberia for honoring the One-China principle, something he says has caused the Chinese President Xi Jinping to elevate the China-Liberia friendship that is poised to seek the interest of both countries. 

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Chinese Ambassador Chengwu made the disclosure at a one-day Seminar on “Deepen Cooperation, Work Together for Development” held at the Golden Gates Hotel in Paynesville City.

Speaking during the opening, Ambassador Chengwu said the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 

(FOCAC) Summit has reached significant outcomes with Liberia being a strong partner. 

According to him, China and Liberia are expected to continuously support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns. 

“China appreciates Liberia’s firm adherence to the One-China principle and its support for China’s position on Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Xizang and maritime issues. China supports Liberia’s right to independently choose a development path suited to its national conditions while safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests,” Ambassador Chengwu said.

The Chinese Ambassador Added: “Recently, President Xi Jinping and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai held a successful meeting during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Both Presidents agreed to elevate China-Liberia relations to strategic partnership, charting the course of the bilateral relations. China and Liberia face great opportunities to deepen cooperation and seek common development.”

According to Ambassador Chengwu, the cooperation between China and Liberia is the collective rise of the “Global South”.

He stressed that the “Global South” was born for development and has risen because of development. The joint modernization of the countries of the “Global South” is a major event in world history and an unprecedented feat in the course of human civilization, Ambassador Chengwu narrated. 

“At present, deglobalization is widespread, protectionism is prevalent and populism is on the rise. Against this backdrop, China and Liberia, as members of the “Global South”, share common interests in safeguarding the interests and development space of emerging economies and developing countries, and in tackling global challenges as well,” Ambassador Chengwu said. 

He added: “Therefore, revitalizing development and achieving universal prosperity is the goal of the Global South and a new opportunity for China-Liberia cooperation.”

Ambassador Chengwu furthers that the common pursuit of modernization by China and Africa will undoubtedly bring new opportunities for China-Liberia cooperation.

He furthers: “China and Liberia are expected to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and multilateral affairs. China is willing to work with Liberia to uphold true multilateralism, rectify the historical injustice against Africa, and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries, especially African countries, in the global governance system.”

The Ambassador also disclosed that China appreciates Liberia’s efforts in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to work with Liberia to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

He stressed that the two countries are expected to further strengthen practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. 

“China is willing to provide support to the best of its ability to Liberia in infrastructure construction, strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as maritime transport, agriculture, resources development and actively expand cooperation in new areas such as clean and new energy,” Ambassador Chengwu said. 

Also speaking, the Chairman of Unity Party J. Luther Tarpeh praised China for being the leading developmental partner across Africa by sharing their experience with others. 

“As a nation, our developmental approach must change from an aid driven country to living more with the People Republic of China whose economic transformation has surprised the world,” Unity Party Chairman Tarpeh said. 

He added: “I am optimistic that this forum reaffirms the Chinese proverb that says, “It is better to teach a man how to fish than to give him a fish after every fishing expedition.” 

According to the UP Chairman, the friendship between the two countries is now trekking the path of shared experience in economic and global peace promotion and development.

“A forum like this keeps the main things in diplomatic relationships at the front desk of our minds. As both countries explore ways to deepen cooperation and work together for development, we must take the following steps together as sister and friendly countries,” UP Chairman added.

He also calls for the strengthening of people-to-people relationships among the citizens of Liberia and China. 

According to Mr. Tarpeh, the friendship between both countries cannot thrive unless both countries strengthen and promote genuine relationships between the citizens of both countries. 

“While the language barrier between our people seemingly post a challenge to foster this, I want to call on you Mr. Ambassador that the Chinese Language institutes look into teaching Mandarin the Chinese Language in some selected high schools and public and private universities to help break the communication barriers between people of Liberia and the People Republic of China,” he said. 

UP Chairman added: “In the same vein, it is expedient Mr. Ambassador to open the corridor through exchange programs where Liberian young people will have the opportunity to travel to China and teach English language to young Chinese students. I am optimistic Mr. Ambassador that if we work together on this people to people bond with Liberia – Chinese friendship can influence the emerging generation of our two countries to interact and solidify the friendship in years to come.”

Monrovia – The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, YIN Chengwu, has disclosed that the governments of Liberia and China are now entering a new stage since the inception of Joseph Boakai’s administration.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Ambassador Chengwu made the statement at a reception dinner under the theme “Keeping in Mind the Original Aspiration of China-Liberia Relations to Move Forward Together.” The event was held at the Boulevard Palace in Sinkor.

According to the Chinese Ambassador, since President Boakai took office, President Xi Jinping has maintained close communication with the Liberian leader.

“Under the strong leadership and strategic guidance of both Presidents, China-Liberia relations are entering a new stage and opening new development opportunities. Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with the Liberian side to seize the opportunities and move forward hand in hand,” Ambassador Chengwu said.

He further stated that China and Liberia are both developing countries facing the tasks of growing their economies, improving livelihoods, and striving for better lives.

The Chinese ambassador added, “China has always adhered to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, and taking the right approach to friendship and interests. We have actively promoted cooperation between the two countries under the framework of South-South cooperation, bringing tangible benefits and continuously improving the well-being of the two peoples.”

China Seeks to Renew China-Liberia Maritime Agreement

Ambassador Chengwu also stressed that China is willing to renew the China-Liberia Maritime Agreement. The agreement, he says, will enable Liberia to implement numerous projects across the country.

“China is willing to renew the China-Liberia Maritime Agreement and will work with the Liberian side to implement several projects, including the LBS upgrade and expansion project, the Fingerprint Examination Lab, the two Overpass Bridges on Tubman Boulevard, the National Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Lab at the 14 Military Hospital, and the 7th term of the technical assistance project of bamboo and rattan weaving and vegetable planting,” Ambassador Chengwu said.

He added, “At the same time, China is willing to explore new cooperation with Liberia in agriculture, economy, trade, education, and other fields.”

He also promised to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Liberian government on international and regional issues. At present, Ambassador Chengwu said the international situation is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the world is facing a variety of major problems and challenges.

“China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Liberian side to uphold multilateralism, participate in global governance, safeguard the common interests of the ‘Global South,’ and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.

Ambassador Chengwu concluded, “China is moving towards its second centenary goal, and Africa is also accelerating towards the beautiful vision described in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Under the new situation, let us keep in mind our original aspirations, create a favorable environment for our respective development visions, continue to promote China-Liberia cooperation to achieve new results, and write a new chapter of China-Liberia friendship.”

Monrovia-Newly Chinese Ambassador to Liberia H.E. YIN Chengwu is urging the Joseph Boakai’s administration to tap into the China-Africa Cooperation to achieve its development goals, the “ARREST” Policy Agenda.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

China-Africa Cooperation is a platform that China has launched. Series of policies has been implemented on China-Africa Cooperation which vigorously raising the level of practical cooperation with African countries.

The event was graced by Vice Prsident Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, Senate Chair on Foreign Affairs Darius Dillon and other senior government officials.

On September 26, 2023, the then Chinese Ambassador-designate to Liberia arrived in Liberia and was greeted at the Roberts International Airport by Mr. Lawrence Felix Amajie, Deputy Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, and other relevant officials, representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Liberia, and representatives of the Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese in Liberia.

Making remarks at a program making the Chinese Lunar New Year and his Assumption of Duty as Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Ambassador Chengwu said China’s sincere and friendly policies towards Africa and Liberia is a good one. He stressed that sincerity, real results, amity and good faith are some of the African policy that China is adhering to.

According to Ambassador Chengwu, during the 2024 China-Africa Leaders Dialogue co-chaired by President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Xi Jinping puts forward three new initiatives for cooperation programs with Africa.

Ambassador Chengwu named: “the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, injecting new momentum into Africa’s integration and modernization.”

He furthered that at the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum held in Beijing, President Xi Jinping announced China’s eight major steps to support the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, which have defined a new direction and provided a new impetus for the joint construction of the Belt and Road.

Ambassador Chengwu added: “Liberia is an important participant in and contributor to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative and other cooperation mechanisms, and will take full advantage of the development opportunities provided by China to realize its development goals.”

According to Ambassador Chengwu, the new opportunities that China’s development brings to the world is expanding its high-level opening-up to the outside world and promoting high-quality economic and social development.

In 2023, China’s economy continued to rebound, with a GDP growth of 5.2%, contributing 32% to global economic growth and remaining the biggest driving force for global economic growth, the Ambassador says.

“China has become a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and has established the world’s most complete industrial system, and leads the world in technology fields such as high-speed railways, 5G, and new energy vehicles. The scale of China’s manufacturing industry has ranked No.1 in the world for 13 consecutive years, with the value added of manufacturing accounting for 30% of the world,” Ambassador Chengwu said.

He added: “China’s development will bring more new opportunities to the world. In the future, China and Liberia have huge potential and prospects in strengthening the docking of development strategies, promoting the sharing of development opportunities, and working together to achieve national modernization.”

 Last year after counting of the votes and President Boakai was announced winner by the National Election Commission of the Run-off Presidential Election, several head of states congratulated President Boakai. One of them was Chinese President Jinping. Also, a special envoy was sent by President Jinping to attend the inauguration ceremony on January 22, 2024.

Still speaking, Ambassador Chengwu restates President Jinping admiration for what he termed a great effort from President Boakai’s in promoting consensus on adherence to the one-China principle among all sectors in Liberia.

“The strategic leadership of the two heads of state is the fundamental force that ensures a stable China-Liberia relations and has charted the course for the healthy development of China-Liberia relations,” Ambassador Chengwu said.

He continues: “My confidence stems from the practical foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. President Boakai’s “ARREST” policy agenda calls for execution of various projects, vigorously promoting agriculture, expanding and improving the road network, revitalizing the education system, improving health conditions to uplift people’s livelihood. And the agenda is highly in line with President Xi Jinping’s “people-centered” development ideology.”

According to Ambassador Chengwu, despites China and Liberia are far apart, the two countries share the same future and have the same expectations for the “international order”.

“We are obliged to support each other, work in solidarity, and contribute wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.