Monrovia, Liberia - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has welcomed the recently concluded visit to Liberia by a Chinese delegation, headed by the Vice Minister of Commerce, Fu Ziying.  Speaking in Monrovia on Thursday, during bilateral talks between Liberian and Chinese officials, the President said the Liberian Government appreciates the partnership with the People’s Republic of China and welcomes the private sector involvement in the partnership. The China Development Bank is key in the US$2.6 billion China Union (Liberia) Bong Mines Investment, which was formally launched over the weekend.

The Liberian President praised the Government and people of China, particularly its President, for the interest demonstrated in Liberia. The Chinese President is said to have taken a keen interest in the China Union (Liberia) Bong Mines Project, urging the Chinese private sector to support its implementation.

“We look forward to moving into operations,” a seemingly pleased President asserted, calling on Liberians, especially residents in areas of operations, to cooperate with the company as it commences its activities.  Thanking members of the Legislative Caucus for their support, the President called on lawmakers to urge citizens to consider the long-term benefits of the investment and cooperate with Government. “It is up to us to ensure that the investment succeeds,” the President reminded Caucus members.

The Government of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China, on April 22, signed six agreements aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries. They included agreements on economic and technological cooperation, under which China will provide more than 60 million RMB Yuan; an exchange of letters – zero-tariff treatment to ensure that import duties of 60 percent of commodities originating from Liberia are totally exempted.

Liberia and China also exchanged letters for a Technical Cooperation Project with the Liberia Broadcasting System. Under the terms, the Chinese Government will dispatch five experts to LBS and provide maintenance of the facilities and training for LBS technicians. The Government of China will also provide 10 million RMB Yuan for additional medical materials to the Tappita Hospital to support its operation.

China has also agreed to provide 1.5 million RMB Yuan in medical equipment to the China-Liberia Malaria Prevention and Treatment Center, and an additional 3 million Yuan to help the Liberian Government purchase medicines to treat malaria.

Liberia’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Olubanke King-Akerele, signed on behalf of the Liberian Government while the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Fu Ziying, signed for his country. The well-attended signing ceremony was witnessed by members of the Cabinet and other senior Government officials as well as high-ranking Chinese officials, including Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao, and the Vice Governor of the China Development Bank Corporation, Li Jiping.

Chinese Minister Fu recalled that since the resumption of ties between the two countries, “there has been great improvement both in recovery and reconciliation; this makes us want to do more.” He added that over US$700 million worth of aid has already been made to Liberia since the country switched bilateral ties from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China under President Johnson Sirleaf.

The delegation, which departed the country on Sunday, April 25, included 14 Chinese Government officials and 23 business executives.