The Government of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 signed a US$ 23 million grant agreement for economic and technical cooperation.

Speaking on behalf of the Chinese government during the ceremony, H.E. Ren Yisheng said he is pleased to announce that the total amount of the gratuitous aid provided by the government of China to the government of Liberia as contained in this agreement amount to 150 million yuan, representing an increase of 50 million yuan over the previous period.

Ambassador Ren explained that the aid is meant to be used for implementing projects to be agreed upon by both governments through friendly consultations, aimed at promoting of peace, stability, prosperity and development of Liberia.

“Our cooperation, is based on the principle of equality, consultation, mutual respect and win-win, is in conformity with the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) as advocated by President Xi Jinping of China and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PADP) as advocated by H.E. President George M. Weah of Liberia, and serves the broad interest of our two governments and peoples,” Ambassador Ren indicated.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Chinese Ambassador further mentioned that COVID-19 is raging across the world, posing a huge threat to the well-being and health safety of peoples of all countries, noting that they highly appreciate the support rendered by the government and people of Liberia to China and the facilitation rendered by the health authorities of Liberia on testing and treatment of infected Chinese nationals working and living in Liberia.

The Chinese envoy reiterated that China was the first to offer assistance to Liberia and her people in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as they did when Ebola broke out in Liberia in 2014, stating that the Chinese government including local provinces, Jack Ma and Alibaba Charity Foundation as well as the Embassy and the Chinse community in Liberia have donated several batches of medical and livelihood materials to Liberia, including testing kits, masks, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

“In January this year, the Chinese government donated a consignment of medical supplies to the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), including 9,090 packs of Ribavirin injection and 1,200 packs of Ribavirin tablets to support Liberia in tacking Lassa fever, together with 1,800 pieces of PPEs. Last month, we also donated a batch of medical equipment which include a no-invasive ventilator and an oxygen generator to JFK Hospital,” the Chinese Ambassador Ren added.

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, H.E. Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., who signed on behalf of the Liberian government, expressed thanks and appreciation to the government of China on behalf of President George M. Weah and people of Liberia, noting that the signing of the agreement will further strengthen the tie existing between the two countries and peoples. The Liberian Foreign Minister said the agreement will further boost the economy of Liberia.

“This signing ceremony today is timely and it is in the right direction, this grant of US$ 23 million will be used for its intended propose to the benefit of the government and people of Liberia, please convey our thanks to your government and people”.

“We want to use this occasion to reaffirm the government of the Republic of Liberia’s One China policy, we can assure you that bilateral relationship between Liberia and China, during our tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs charge with the responsibility to assist His Excellency President Weah, the Chief Architect of Liberia’s foreign policy that this relationship will continue to work, and to further strengthen our bilateral tie and cooperation…and want to thank you for all other previous projects the government of China had done,” Minister Kemayah noted.