Contact Us Links 中文
HOME > Activities of Embassy and Lastest News
Progress in the Implementation of the Follow-Up Actions of the Beijing FOCAC Summit in Liberia
2009-11-06 17:48
 

Since the reestablishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Liberia, great progress has been witnessed in their bilateral cooperation in almost every field, particularly in the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Beijing FOCAC Summit.

1. Bilateral exchanges

There have been frequent bilateral exchanges between China and Liberia in the past few years. H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation from October 28 to November 6, 2006. On February 1, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Liberia as the first Chinese President to land on Liberian soil. The official visits to China by Liberian officials from three branches of Government included Vice President Joseph Boakai, then Senate Pro-Tempore Issac Nyenabo, Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis, and members of the Cabinet such as Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai, Jr, Internal Affairs Minister Ambulai B. Johnson, Jr, Gender Minister Vaba K. Gayflor, Youth and Sports Minister Etmonia D. Tarpeh, Public Works Minister Samuel K. Woods and etc. There were also many Chinese senior officials visited Liberia: Li Zhaoxing, then Chinese Foreign Minister attended the inauguration ceremony of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the special envoy of President Hu Jintao. Vice President Su Zelin of the Supreme Court visited Liberia in August 2009. Meng Xioasi, Vice Chairperson of All China Women’s Federation attended the women colloquium in March 2009. There were some other Chinese officials such as the Deputy Health Minister Chen Xiaohong, Hunan Province Deputy Governor Guo Kailang and Henan Province Deputy Governor Qin Yuhai who also visited Liberia in the past few years.

2. Anti-Malaria Cooperation

Chinese President Hu Jingtao together with his counterpart, Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, co-launched the Liberia Anti-Malaria Center during his visit to Liberia on Feb. 1, 2007 and donated 93,840 doses of anti-malaria medicine worth of 1 million RMB Yuan (one USD= 6.82 RMB Yuan). In 2008, 16,000 doses of anti-malaria medicine were donated to the Liberia Anti-Malaria Center. A four-member Chinese expert delegation in malaria control and prevention visited Liberia for installation of the anti-malaria equipment donated by China and training of 11 lab technicians for the Anti-Malaria Center and other clinics. The Chinese experts also met with anti-malaria officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia, WHO officials in Liberia and some anti-malaria NGO officers in Liberia, sharing anti-malaria experience and introducing China’s anti-malaria practices in the past.

3. Debt relief

The Chinese Government announced at the Beijing FOCAC Summit its decision to cancel all the debts arising from government interest-free loans matured at the end of 2005 owed by heavily indebted poor and least developed African countries that maintain diplomatic relationship with China. The Liberian Government owed China three debts that matured at the end of 2005, with a total amount of 80 million RMB Yuan (1 USD=6.8 RMB Yuan) and US$ 1 million. During President Hu Jingtao’s visit to Liberia, China signed a debt cancellation agreement with Liberia and wiped out all the abovementioned debts.

4. Zero-tax treatment

During Chinese President Hu Jingtao’s visit to Liberia, Mr. Bo Xilai , Minister of Commerce of China and Amb. George W. Wallace, Liberian then Foreign Minister, co-signed a document to increase scope of zero-tariff treatment for goods imported from Liberia to 442 tax items. This offer is yet to be fully utilized by the Liberian side.

5. China -Africa Development Fund

In April, 2008, a delegation from China Africa Development Fund headed by its CEO, Mr. Chi Jianxing, visited Liberia for potential investment opportunities. The Delegation paid a call on Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai, attended an investment workshop held by Liberian Government and visited potential projects such as Bong Mine, Mt. Coffee Hydropower Station and Buchanan Port. It is going to be a potential Chinese investor in Liberia.

6. Three rural primary schools

During President Hu Jingtao’s visit to Liberia, Mr. Bo Xilai, Minister of Commerce of China and Amb. George W. Wallace, Liberian Foreign Minister, co-signed an agreement for the construction of three China-aided rural schools in Liberia. After consulting with Ministry of Education of Liberia, one was built in Suhen MeccaTown of Bomi County, the other two built in New Georgia Town and Paynesville of Montserrado County respectively. The total construction area of the three rural primary schools was around 3,812 square meters and construction work was officially started on July 28, 2008, finished May 10, 2009 and transferred to Liberian side on May 25, 2009 with the personal presence of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at handover ceremonies.

7. Tappita Hospital

The Tappita Hospital project is located in Tappita Town, Nimba County, 360 km away from Monrovia, and the construction area is around 7126 square meters. The project was launched on January 16, 2009 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao. The construction work of the project began officially on March 25, 2009 and is due to be completed before June next year. It is going to be in that area the biggest hospital with modern medical equipment.

8. Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center

The Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center is being built in Central Agriculture Research Institute, Gbarnga. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf honored the cornerstone laying ceremony of the project on April 27, 2009 by her personal presence to her support. The construction work officially began on June 25, 2009. When completed early next year, large numbers of Liberian agro technicians and farmer can be trained there.

9. Youth volunteers

According to an agreement signed by China and Liberia on December 17, 2008, 12 youth volunteers from China have arrived in Liberia in June, 2009 for their volunteer services. Among them, there is one Chinese language teacher, four physical education teachers, two medical doctors and three agricultural technicians.

10. Human resources training

Since the reestablishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Liberia in 2003, 646 government officials and technicians from various institutions have participated in the capacity-building training courses in China. From January to September, 2009, 92 Liberians have participated in various short term training courses in China. Since 2003, 106 Liberian young talents have benefited from China Government Scholarships. Some of them have returned to Liberia and 89 of them are still studying in China various disciplines such as economics, medicine, management and etc.


[Suggest to a Friend]
     [Print]