Monrovia, September 28, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I want to thank you for joining us today to celebrate the 61st birthday of the People’s Republic of China.

2010 is another extraordinary year to China.

This year has seen China continue to achieve an economic rebound and fast economic development against backdrop of the world economic recession. After a growth of 9.1% in 2009, China’s economy grew by 11.1% in the first half of this year, which greatly boosted international confidence and provided a strong impetus of the world economic recovery.

While it is widely noted that China surpassed Japan in the second quarter of this year and became the world’s second-largest economy behind the United States, we are keenly aware that China remains a developing country with its huge population, weak economic foundation and imbalance in development unchanged. China’s per capita income still ranks behind 100th place in the world, lagging far behind those of developed nations.

This year has seen China successfully host the World Expo in its biggest commercial city Shanghai. The World Expo is a grand event to showcase the best achievements of human civilization, and also a great occasion for people from around the world to share joy and friendship. A total of 189 countries have present their best at the event, which is expected to attract 70 million visitors from China and abroad and likely to be the largest World Expo ever.

It is worth noting that Liberia has seized this occasion to show the world not only its beautiful natural environment and ingenious people but also its happiness for regaining peace, readiness for national renaissance and great confidence in the future.

This year has also seen great progress being made on Chinese national reunification endeavor. On June 29, The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) was signed between China mainland nd Taiwan.This pact is a preferential trade agreement aiming at reducing tariffs and commercial barriers between the two sides and will further boost their economic and trade relations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2010 is another fruitful year for the China-Liberia relations.

Thank to hard work and relentless efforts by the Chinese aid workers, we were very pleased to present three gifts to Liberian people before July 26, first the Fendall Campus of the University of Liberia, then the CARI Agricultural and technology Demonstration Center and finally the Tappita Hospital. We are proud to be part of your 163rd anniversary Celebration. All these projects are hallmarks of a true friendship and strong partnership existing between two countries.

This year marks the 10th anniversary founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which was jointly set up by China and African nations in October 2000. Ten years since then, The Forum has proved to be an important platform and effective mechanism of conducting collective dialogue, exchanging experience in governance and enhancing mutual trust and cooperation in practical terms between China and Africa. At the end of last year, ministers of foreign affairs and economic cooperation from China and 49 African countries, including Liberia, met in Egypt for the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum and adopted a three-year Action Plan starting from this year. My Embassy has held rounds of thorough discussion and consultation with pertinent ministries of Liberian government on the implementation of the Action Plan. With this job moving forward, I believe more tangible aid projects will unfold and make further contribution to Liberian national reconstruction.

This year has seen increasing exchange of visits between Chinese and Liberian senior officials. We are very glad to have received the Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Liberia in China last August, who honored Liberian National Pavilion Day ceremony at Shanghai Expo. The Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives just left Monrovia yesterday for China to participate in the Chinese National Pavilion Day at the Shanghai Expo. I wish him a successful visit in China. Last but not least, Her Excellency Mrs Olubanke King-Akerele, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Liberia, conducted her first official visit to China at the beginning of this year, which was featured as a successful development diplomacy tour.

In April of this year, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr. Fu Ziying headed a delegation consisting of dozens of Chinese business executives to Liberia. During their stay here, the delegates had shown great interest in investing in Liberia. My Embassy will continue to encourage them to make their “interest” into real “interests” of Liberian people in the near future.

Finally, may I invite all of you to join me in a toast to the peace, stability and prosperity of China and Liberia, to the health of Her Excellency Madam President and all the distinguished guests present, Cheers!

Thank you!