(6 May 2022)

Hon. Ledgerhood Rennie, Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Liberia,

Hon. Dester Zeogar Wilson, Minister of Youth & Sports,

Prof. Dr. Ansu Dao Sonii Sr., Minister of Education,

Hon. Estelle Liberty Kemoh, Director General of Liberia Broadcasting System(LBS) and the Board of Directors and Management of LBS,

Members of the Legislature,

Other distinguished officials and media representatives,

The Chinese technicians of the Technical Aid Project of China-Aid-Liberia National Radio and Television Station,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning! I am extremely delighted to attend the Official Inauguration and Dedication Ceremony of LBS’ refurbished Radio/TV Studios and the New Metro FM Radio facilitated and erected under the Bilateral Technical Cooperation Agreement between the governments of China and Liberia for LBS.

Since 2008, the above-mentioned Technical Aid Project has been implemented for 14 years over five phases, with the fifth of which beginning on January 1, 2019, and having concluded successfully on December 31, 2021. Today, the LBS broadcast programs cover most areas of Liberia. It has effectively met the need of the Liberian government for various media dissemination purposes, and enabled the Liberian people to easily access economic and social development information, enjoy cultural programs and keep abreast of the international situation.

On behalf of the Chinese government, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations on the successful implementation of the project and commend the technicians from both sides for their hard work. I want to thank the Chinese technical team in particular. For fourteen years, by overcoming all kinds of difficulties and challenges especially Ebola and COVID-19, they have worked tirelessly in the Capital and five other areas outside of Monrovia, constructed seven broadcast stations, and helped the LBS grow and develop into one of the most influential media in Liberia. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

At the moment, both sides are closely working to implement the next phase of the technical assistance project, and will sign an exchange of letters between our two governments shortly so that China can continue to provide technical support and assistance to LBS in the future.

In addition to technical assistance, the Chinese side will also help the Liberian side implement the China-Aid Refurbishment Expansion Project of LBS. Last June, against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, a Chinese technical team visited Liberia and conducted technical inspection, engineering survey and other work, and signed a project implementation agreement with the Liberian side. The project mainly includes constructing a new broadcasting building and building a new broadcasting production system of LBS in Monrovia, providing an outdoor broadcasting vehicle and a set of satellite transmission system, and maintaining and upgrading the transmitter house, antenna feeder, and the iron tower in Monrovia. We are convinced that, once this new project is implemented, it will significantly enhance the capacity, efficiency and influence of LBS.

The technical assistance project for LBS is a good example of our partnership. We are convinced that, with our joint efforts and contribution, LBS will go from strength to strength and provide higher quality and more convenient information services to Liberian people, and the friendly bonds between the Chinese and Liberian people will be further strengthened.

Ladies and gentlemen,

China and Liberia are good friends and good brothers. Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and President George Manneh Weah, and by docking B&R Initiative(BRI) with the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development(PAPD), China-Liberia friendly, pragmatic and win-win cooperation has achieved fruitful results in recent years. On April 21, when President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022, he formally proposed a Global Security Initiative (GSI). This is another major global initiative proposed by President Xi after the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed at the United Nations last year. The GSI is yet another global public good offered by China and a vivid illustration of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the security field. China is also ready to align the GDI and GSI with the PAPD and Africa Agenda 2063 in order to jointly maintain world peace and security, and promote global prosperity and development.

Thank you!