H.E. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia

Hon. Alex J Taylor, Speaker of House of Representatives,

Hon. Elias B. Shoniyin, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Hon. Ministers and government officials of Liberia,

Hon. Members of the Legislature and the Judiciary,

Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we are pleased to have all of you gathered here in celebrating the 66th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.

It has been 20 months since I started my tour of duty here as the Ambassador of China to Liberia, but it is the first time for me to host the reception celebrating the National Day of our country. Last year, the Ebola Virus Disease was raging in West Africa and Liberia was once the most affected country. It was for the first time in history that an outbreak of an epidemic disease was announced as a global public health incident and concerted actions and efforts were mobilized from the affected countries as well as the international community in an urgent and joint fight against the common enemy. Today, we are delighted to see that under the strong leadership of Madam President Sirleaf and with the support from international community, Liberian people have achieved an unprecedented victory over the unknown enemy. Now Liberia government has built up an effective Ebola response mechanism and Liberia is able to contain the spread of EVD whenever it pops up. The Liberian anti-Ebola achievement is not only the success of Liberian people but also of the international community. Liberia’s experience has enlightened and contributed a lot to the rest of the world in the process of building an effective mechanism within the UN system in quick response to future global public health crisis. Liberia’s experience is a good showcase of international cooperation.

 

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the past one and half year, I have been deeply impressed by the firm commitment of both governments of China and Liberia to push forward the practical cooperation and the strong wish of the two peoples to tighten friendship between our two countries. Although the Sino-Liberia relationship has suffered twists and turns in the past, we have never given up the faith that the two countries should sail in the same boat and share weal and woe. Many unforgettable scenes in the joint anti-Ebola combat still linger in my mind, e.g. the charted cargo airplane from China fully loaded with urgent anti-Ebola materials was the first to land at the R.I.A. and more international community assistance poured in afterwards; when EVD crisis was at its peak, I was honored to accompany Madam President to visit three local hospitals to encourage and render support to the health workers in the front line of the fight against Ebola; Chinese UN peacekeepers, workers from local Chinese companies together with Liberian people constructed the 5800-square-meter China ETU in only one month, which is a strong showcase of “the China Speed”; in spite of risks and difficulties, Chinese Military Medical Team devoted themselves to receive and treat Ebola patients; a 7-year-old Liberian boy, when recovering from China ETU, hugged the Chinese nurse and called her “Mom”; when the last recovered Ebola patient walked out of China ETU, the whole nation rejoiced. All these stories have manifested that the principle of “sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith” promoted by President Xi Jinping has been implemented with concrete actions.

Now in the process of post-Ebola socio-economic recovery, Liberian government is making every effort to revitalize its economic and social life. In the past year Liberian government has made active and effective efforts to improve the investment environment and to protect the legal interests of foreign investors. This is a strong signal to the world that Liberian government is committed to protect the foreign investment and takes development as the fundamental way in post-Ebola recovery.

H. E. Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China, made a successful visit to Liberia one month ago. Minister Wang’s visit turns a new page of our bilateral cooperation in post-Ebola era. Just as Minister Wang said, China will fully support the Economic Stabilization and Recovery Plan of Liberia and focus on the bilateral cooperation in health, education, infrastructure, agriculture and other fields. Considering the urgent need of Liberia, China will speed up the aid projects of the renovation of SKD Stadium, the construction of MVTC, Ministerial Complex, Annexes to the Capitol Hill Building and the diplomat lounge in the RIA. China will help Liberia to break the bottlenecks in development that are insufficient infrastructure and human resources. China will encourage and support the Chinese enterprises to participate in the development of infrastructure in various ways and will promote capacity-building for Liberia by sending more experts to Liberia and providing more training opportunities in China. China will also enhance the cooperation with Liberia in manufacturing sector so that Liberia can make best use of and add value to its own resources and improve its sustainable self-development capacity.

 

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year is the 66th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. In the past 66 years, China has achieved remarkable development with a historic leap in comprehensive national strength and a big upgrade of people’s living standard. Now China is the second largest economy in the world with the largest trade volume and foreign exchange reserves, and the third largest overseas investment. It is also the largest trading partner of 130 countries. Last year China's GDP surpassed 10 trillion USD, and the GDP per capital has risen from less than 100 USD in the early days of the People’s Republic to nearly 7,500 USD today.

At the moment, global economic recovery is still weak. Many international institutions have downgraded their global economic forecast. Given the slowdown in global growth, the 7% growth China achieved in the first half of the year, is not at all easy. The past two months have seen a slip or fluctuation in certain indicators. Yet, the policies and measures adopted in the previous stage are starting to pay off. The fundamentals underpinning a stable Chinese economy have not changed. The Chinese economy is still stable and moving in a positive direction despite the moderation in speed. Although difficulties remain, there are more opportunities than challenges. China’s economic structure is rapidly improving, and new economic growth areas are rapidly taking shape. China is going through the process of a new type of industrialization, IT application, urbanization and agriculture modernization. China has a vast territory and diverse industries so that the economy is highly resilient and shock-resistant. We are accelerating structural reform and pursuing an innovation-driven development strategy to fully unleash the potential of economic growth. Looking into the future, China is capable of maintaining a medium-high rate of growth and moving toward a medium-high level of development. China is committed to peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up. We can work together to promote inclusive and balanced growth and green and sustainable development, and join hands to foster a community of common interests and development and create a even better future for mankind.  

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and The World Anti-Fascist War. 70 years ago, the Chinese people had fought tenaciously for 14 years and won the great victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, which also marked the final victory of the Second World War. In that war, China and Liberia, though far away from each other, were in the same front and fought in their own way with all the peace-loving peoples of the world and won the final victory and peace. Liberia made its own important contribution to the Allies in the war. Liberia was among the 4 African countries which signed the Charter of the United Nations and became a founding Member State of the U.N.. The experience of the war makes people value peace all the more and believe that mutual respect, equality, peaceful development and common prosperity are the right path to take. China and Liberia should continue to strength solidarity and cooperation. All countries should jointly uphold the international order and system underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and advance the noble cause of global peace and development. The photo exhibition in this auditorium today is just to remind people to bear history in mind, honor all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war, cherish peace and open up the future.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In China, 6 is a lucky number and it represents favorable weather for harvest, flourish of the country and peaceful life for people. After 66 years, China has risen from ruins of war to an important force to maintain world peace and boost global development. Both China and Liberia have suffered from wars and both peoples have the common pursuit of better life. I firmly believe that our two countries will continue to advance hand in hand on the way to the national development and bright future of the life of the people. 

   

Before I conclude, please let me propose to raise our glasses for a toast

To the prosperity of China and Liberia,

To the happiness of Chinese and Liberian People,

To the China-Liberia friendship and cooperation,

Cheers.