Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao elaborated on Sino-Liberian bilateral relations and the implementation of China-aided programs at a live interview by Radio Veritas (Liberia) last Saturday, Dec. 15. Along with him at the interview were the News Director of Truth FM and the Managing Director of the Parrot Newspaper.
Amb. Zhou expressed satisfaction over the development of bilateral relations. Since the resumption of diplomatic ties, he said, the bilateral relations have witnessed sound progress with regular exchanges of high-level visits. The heads of states of both countries exchanged visits in October 2006 and February 2007 respectively. During the visits, a series of agreements on political, economic, cultural, educational and health cooperations were signed, which have given a thrust to the Sino-Liberian relations. By taking lead in paying a state visit to Liberia, cancelling matured bilateral debts and building a brand-new embassy, China has shown its confidence in and support and commitment to the reconstruction and development of Liberia, as well as its trust in the Liberian government and its people. All those have contributed to the improvement of Liberia's international image and status. China and Liberia also enjoy close cooperation and mutual support in international institutions such as UN, said Amb. Zhou. For example, Liberia firmly stands for One-China policy and is strongly against Taiwan Authority's scheme of "joining the UN under the name of Taiwan". Meanwhile, China has voted for the deployment and extension of United Nations Mission in Liberia in support of Liberia's peace and reconstruction process.
Regarding the implementation of China-aided projects, Amb. Zhou said some of the projects including the Renovation of SKD Stadium, the Partial Decoration of the Foreign Ministry Office Building and the Malaria Prevention and Treatment Center have been concluded. Other projects, such as the Building of UL Fendell Campus, Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center, Tapeta Hospital, three rural schools, are in smooth progress. Since 2003, more than 450 Liberian officials and professionals have attended short-term training courses in China while more than 50 Liberian youth have been studying in China under scholarship from Chinese Government. In the future, more training courses will be carried out in Liberia, so that more Liberians can benefit from training opportunities.
As China is still a developing country with limited capacity for assistance, it couldn't solve the development problems of Liberia single-handedly, Amb. Zhou emphasized, neither could any other country. But china is committed to be a reliable partner of Liberia in its efforts to rebuild the country. He held that Liberia's long-term development could only be achieved through capacity building by means of international economic cooperation. He told the listeners that some Chinese enterprises are currently in Liberia seeking economic cooperation opportunities. He believed that with the improvement of investment climate, more Chinese enterprises will come for win-win cooperation.
On the issue of the World Bank-sponsored Monrovia-Buchanan Road Renovation project, Amb. Zhou said the contractor of the project, CHICO, was suffering a shortage of crashed rocks, which resulted in the slow pace of the road renovation. He pointed out that CHICO had opened its own quarry to solve the bottleneck problem. He felt confident that the company will be able to speed up its pace soon.
The other interviewees at the program spoke highly of the achievements China had made in the recent years and thanked China for its generous assistance to Liberia. They expressed the hope that more Chinese enterprises will come to invest in Liberia so that bilateral economic cooperations can be further enhanced.
