The Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao, on December 19, attended the agreement signing ceremony for the construction of China-aided the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia. The deputy managing director of Guangdong Xinguang International Engineering Company Ltd Mr. He Sili and the President of the University of Liberia Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh signed the agreement. Also present at the ceremony were the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Mr. Zhang Yi, the Foreign Minister and the Deputy Minister of Public Works  of Liberia, representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy and the University of Liberia. Dr. Conteh, Ambassador Zhou and the Foreign Minister Mrs. Akerele delivered speeches at the ceremony.

 

Dr. Conteh recalled the process of the establishment of the project and expressed gratitude for Chinese government's generous aid to the development of the University of Liberia. The president promised to cooperate with the Chinese side in the implementation of the project. 

 

 

Ambassador Zhou, in his speech, said that the Fendell campus is the biggest China-aided project to Liberia and one of the largest infrastructural projects in post-war Liberia. The Fendell Campus covers 11 hectres and the floor space covers 24,800 square meters with a total investment of more than 20 million US dollars. The project, the Ambassador further said, shows the support of the Chinese government and people to Liberia's post-war reconstruction and the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, hoping that it will play an positive role in Liberia's education course.

 

Ambassador Zhou also noted that the presence of the senior government officials at the signing ceremony shows that the government of Liberia attaches great importance to the development of the friendly relationship and cooperation between China and Liberia. The Ambassador encouraged the Chinese company to be meticulous in the construction and complete the project in time and with good quality.

 

 

Liberian Foreign Minister Mrs. Akerele expressed gratitude for China's consistent support to Liberia. She urged the University of Liberia and departments concerned to work jointly for the smooth implementation of the project.

 

For his part, Mr. He Sili, Deputy Managing Director of Guangdong Xinguang, promised to live up to the expectations of the Chinese and Liberian governments and peoples by completing the project with efficiency and good quality.