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Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao Attends “Working Out of Poverty” Forum
2008-09-10 06:06

By Chinese Embassy in Liberia

(08/09/09)

A high-level Forum on “Working Out of Poverty: A Decent Work Approach to Development and Growth in Africa” co-sponsored by Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative (RR/EGI), the International Lobor Organization and the Ministry of Labor of Liberia, was held in September 8-9, 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia. At the invitation of former Irish President and president of RR/EGI Madame Mary Robinson, H.E. Mr. Zhou Yuxiao, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, attended the forum and delivered a speech to the plenary.

Amb. Zhou Delivers speech

In his speech, Amb. Zhou said, as a faithful friend, he believes the concept of “working out of poverty” is urgently needed for Liberia. According to him, the limited budget of the Liberian Government is far from enough in dealing with the heavy task of reconstruction and development of the country. As such, the Liberian people, particularly young people need to be educated to be self-reliant and entrepreneurial in the poverty reduction process. He also cited the words of the late U.S. President J.F. Kennedy “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country” to encourage the young to be self-reliant.

Amb. Zhou also told the story of China’s development in the past thirty years. Millions of Chinese started their success story from very humble beginnings such as shoe menders and construction workers under extremely harsh working conditions. It is their sacrifice that created plenty of decent work opportunities for other people to get out of poverty. He urged Liberians to tighten belt and roll up sleeves to overcome the temporary difficulties, which is essential and indispensable to Liberia’s development, growth and renaissance.

Amb. Zhou also elaborated on the importance of agriculture in creating employment opportunities. Liberia is endorsed with perfect agricultural conditions, said the ambassador. According to him, subsistence farming is labor intensive and can create huge job opportunities while providing basic needs of life for people and ensure food security. While China can feed 22% of the world population with 9% of the world’s arable land, there is no reason that Liberia could not support itself with its rich agricultural resources.

Poverty problem can only be resolved through development, said ambassador. According to him, development should always be the number one priority for any developing country. Development primarily depends on the internal initiatives of a country. However, foreign investment may also help if investment environment is sound and favorable.

He emphasized on the balance between rights and obligations. According to him, efforts should be made to popularize the concept of working out of poverty. He praised the Liberian Government for its campaign called “Change Minds, Change Attitudes”, which aims to improve the moral standards of its citizens. He expressed his hope that the campaign could be continued and reinforced and a culture of self-reliance and entrepreneurship could be created.

Amb. Zhou in discussion with Mozambican Vice Planning Minister Amb. Zhou talks with Liberian Government Officials

Later on, Amb. Zhou exchanged ideas on poverty reduction and labor rights with other participants of the forum.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, RR/EGI President Madame Mary Robinson as well as government officials, scholars, ILO officials from Liberia and other countries were present at the forum.


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