MONROVIA, Friday May 6-The new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China accredited near Monrovia, His Excellency Zhao Jianhua on Thursday, May 5 paid a courtesy call on Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., at his Capitol Building office.

During the ensuing discussions, the Chinese envoy and Liberian Vice President exchanged sentiments about the cordial ties subsisting between their two countries, and pledged their willingness to strengthen these ties.

Vice President Bokai said he was excited about the positive trend Liberia-China relations were taking, adding.” I am happy to see a third Ambassador taking up assignment in Liberia in so short a time.” This, he noted, demonstrates the progress in relations between the two countries.

Diplomatic ties between Liberia and China which were severed during the era of the late President Samuel Kanyon Doe, were restored in 2005

Vice President Boakai said Liberia was grateful for the assistance China continues to provide in the areas of health, education and agriculture.

He also registered gratitude for the medical and other services the Chinese Contingent of UNMIL continues to render in Liberia, and for the scholarships the Chinese Government is providing Liberian students to pursue studies in China.

These students, he noted are rendering invaluable services to the nation upon return, adding, “This is one of the high points in our relations.”

Vice President Boakai pointed out that Liberia which is just coming out of a difficult situation, still has challenges and therefore appreciates whatever assistance friends like China can provide.

He said another high-point in China-Liberia relations is the fact that the Chinese President, His Excellency Hu Jintao, was the first high-profile world leader to visit Liberia when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ascended to the nation’s presidency in 2006.

Also speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Zhao said he was satisfied with the bilateral relations subsisting between China and Liberia and would ensure during his tenure that these ties are consolidated and expanded.

The Chinese envoy observed that cooperation between Liberia and China has also been manifested in the exchange of visits between officials of the two countries, and cited the Vice President’s successful visit to China in 2009 and to the 2010 Expo in Shanghai.

“I assure you that China will continue to provide Liberia the needed assistance because we are impressed with the tremendous progress your government is making in its national development agenda. We are ready to strengthen our bilateral ties,” the Chinese envoy emphasized.

He stressed the importance of capacity building for any developing country and assured that China would continue to provide scholarships to Liberians to study in China “so that we can share our experiences and expertise with them to enable them contribute to the development of their country upon return.”

Ambassador Zhao said China will also continue to cooperate with and assist Liberia in its bid to emerge as an agriculture giant in Africa by sending Chinese agriculture experts to share their skills with local farmers. He also expressed the hope that the country would gradually solve the problem of food insecurity confronting the post-war country.