（26 November 2021）

Dear young friends,

Greetings to you all! It is a pleasure to participate in and, with a recorded video, to address this event organized by Bong University Students Association of the University of Liberia. This event, with its rich program and broad engagement, is an important effort by Liberian youth groups to participate in their nation building and promote agricultural development. On behalf of the Chinese embassy, I would like to wish the event a great success!

Due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, extreme weather and other factors, global food security is facing a huge threat, and the task of achieving independent agriculture development has become more urgent for all countries in the world, the vast developing countries in particular. The theme of today's event "The Importance of Agriculture Extension Education and its Benefits" is therefore of important realistic significance.  

China is the largest developing country and a large agricultural country. Since ancient times, the Chinese people have regarded agriculture as the foundation of the country. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the Sixth Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee was successfully convened recently. Over the past 100 years, under the strong leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have won great victories in revolution, construction and reform. The CPC and our government have always made the development of agriculture, the benefit of the rural areas and the prosperity of farmers the top priority in governance. China has eradicated extreme poverty and completed building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. From this year on, China will start to implement the 14th Five-Year Plan, one of the important elements of which is to accelerate the establishment of a "dual circulation" development pattern in which domestic economic cycle plays a leading role while international economic cycle remains its extension and supplement. Promoting high-quality agricultural development and rural revitalization are important elements of the new development pattern, demonstrating the commitment of the CPC and our government to put the people at the center and to achieve common prosperity.

Africa today bears a striking resemblance to China more than 40 years ago in terms of geography and natural endowments. Liberia is naturally endowed with a long coastline, rich natural resources, a hard-working and friendly population, and great potential for agricultural development. On the other hand, agriculture development is a long process, which cannot be achieved overnight, and talents are the key to the development of modern agriculture. I hope all of you, as outstanding students of the University of Liberia and brilliant young representatives, will be down-to-earth, work hard on your studies, maintain a low profile, improve your skills, and contribute to speeding up the innovation of agricultural science and technology and promoting the development of modern agriculture of Liberia. The future of Liberia is yours, and I am convinced that Liberia will achieve better agriculture development in the near future.

China is always committed to helping African countries develop agriculture while achieving its own development, and has pledged to support Africa to basically achieve food security by 2030. Earlier this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his visit to five African countries that China would strengthen cooperation in agriculture, help Africa strengthen its capacity to ensure food security, and work together to create a "bountiful Africa", which points out the direction of China-Liberia agricultural cooperation. A team of Chinese agricultural experts has been operating an agricultural demonstration center in Bong County. They offer a quarterly training course on vegetable cultivation for local young people, teaching them vegetable planting and pig breeding, and the project can achieve a monthly income of USD 6,000. The demonstration center provides not only meals for these young trainees but also a monthly subsidy of $50 each, which is well received by the locals. In case you have an interest in visiting the project or participate in the training, please don’t hesitate to contact our embassy. In addition, China and Liberia have been cooperating on bamboo and rattan weaving technology for the past 14 years, and China-aided Bamboo & Rattan Weaving and Vegetable Planting Technological Assistance Project has trained more than 900 young skilled workers in bamboo and rattan weaving and vegetable cultivation, which has effectively helped Liberian people use local resources to make local products.

China-Liberia pragmatic cooperation in the agricultural field is flourishing with a bright future. China will continue to deepen China-Liberia agricultural exchanges and cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and provide assistance to the country's agricultural innovation and development to the extent of its capacity. The Chinese embassy in Liberia will continue to provide necessary support and services. China is willing to give full play to its advantages and experience in agriculture, help Liberia build a good foundation for agriculture development, train more local technical experts and young talents, and build a bright future for China-Liberia agricultural cooperation.

Thank you!