Chinese President Hu Jintao and Liberian President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf agreed on Thursday to collaborate in implementing
the consensus both sides have reached on bilateral cooperation.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Liberian President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf agreed on Thursday to make common efforts to
implement the consensus the two sides have reached on bilateral
cooperation.
In their talks held following Hu's arrival in Monrovia from
Cameroon, they agreed that with concerted efforts by both sides,
China-Liberia relations will be pushed to a new high.
Hu said that the Chinese and Liberian people enjoy a traditional
friendship and relations between the two countries have enjoyed
brisk development since the resumption of diplomatic ties in 2003,
with high-level exchanges increasing, mutual political trust
enhanced, and trade and economic cooperation making headway.
Inter-governmental cooperation projects were conducted smoothly,
and work in the fields of education, health and human resources has
yielded fruitful results, said the Chinese president.
China and Liberia have also maintained sound consultation and
cooperation in international affairs, he said.
Hu announced that the Chinese soldiers' in the UN peacekeeping
mission in Liberia helped contribute to peace, stability,
reconstruction and development in Liberia.
The Chinese president expressed appreciation for the unswerving
adherence by the Liberian government and parliament to the
one-China policy and their support for China's great cause of
national unification.
He put forward a four-point proposal on facilitating further
cooperation between China and Liberia:
-- Promoting exchanges between government departments,
legislatures and political parties, as well as people-to-people
contacts between the two countries, so as to lay a solid
socio-political foundation for their friendship;
-- Conducting pragmatic cooperation in trade and economy,
sparing no effort in carrying out the ongoing cooperation projects
and encouraging businesses to engage in various forms of
cooperation;
-- Jointly pushing for the implementation in Liberia of the
measures announced by the Chinese government at the Beijing summit
of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation;
-- Expanding exchanges in the humanistic field and strengthening
cooperation in education, health, culture, personnel training and
international affairs to safeguard the common interests of the two
countries and other developing nations.
For her part, Johnson-Sirleaf viewed Hu's visit to Liberia is of
great historical significance. The visit indicates that China is a
friend of Africa and Liberia, she said.
Johnson-Sirleaf thanked China for its support and aid in her
country's reconstruction and development.
Liberia hopes to learn from China's experience in its economic
development, and to conduct cooperation with it in the fields of
trade, investment and infrastructure construction, she added.
Liberia will strive for the success of cooperation projects with
China to benefit its people, she said.
Johnson-Sirleaf reiterated the Liberian government's adherence
to the one-China policy and voiced support for the development of
relations between China and Africa.
After their talks, Hu and Johnson-Sirleaf witnessed the signing
of seven documents on cooperation in economy, technology, health,
education and agriculture.
The two leaders attended the inauguration of a China-aided
malaria prevention and treatment center.
Also on Thursday, Hu met with Liberian Vice-President Joseph
Boakai and parliament leaders to discuss furthering Sino-Liberian
ties, expanding and deepening cooperation of mutual benefit between
the two countries.
The National People's Congress (NPC) of China and Liberia's
parliament once had a history of friendly exchanges, the Chinese
president said.
Exchanges and cooperation between the legislatures will aid not
only the mutual understanding and friendship between the two
peoples, but also to the development of bilateral relations, said
Hu.
He said the NPC is willing to expand exchanges and cooperation
with the Liberian parliament to contribute to the development of
bilateral relations.
Boakai, who is also the senate president, said President Hu came
with the friendliness of the Chinese people.
Liberia hopes to broaden and deepen the all-around cooperation
with China, he said.
House Speaker Edwin Snowe said that Liberia adheres to the
one-China policy and is dedicated to boosting Liberia-China
relations.
Isaac Nyenabo, president pro tempore of the Senate, said Chinese
enterprises' investment in Liberia has been of great benefit to the
population.
He added that exchanges and cooperation between the Liberian and
Chinese legislatures have helped legislative work in Liberia.
Liberian lawmakers also thanked China for its assistance in the
fields of agriculture, health and sports.
President Hu, who arrived here from Yaounde, the capital of
Cameroon, is on an eight-nation tour of Africa that will also take
him to Sudan, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and
Seychelles.
(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2007)
