Acting Foreign Minister, Hon. B. Elais Shoniyin and Chinese Ambassador accredited to Liberia, His Excellency Mr. Zhang Yue on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 exchanged notes for the provision of a batch of China Aided Police Supplies by the People’s Republic of China to the Government of the Republic of Liberia in the amount of 13 million RMB.   

This amount which is equivalent to 2 million United States Dollars is going to come in services and goods, including training and pieces of vital law enforcement equipment.  

Signing the notes on behalf of his government, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, accredited near Monrovia, H.E.  Mr. Zhang Yue, disclosed that his country’s donation valued at US$2 million to the Liberia National Police (LNP) will enhance the effectiveness of the LNP.

He further added that the donation will boost the nation’s security sector especially at a time when the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which used to be in charge of the country’s security, has turned over all security activities to the Liberian Government’s security sector of which the LNP is a prime actor.

Before Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin and Chinese Ambassador Zhang signed the Notes, Hon.  Emmanuel Munyeneh, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration said the historic moment represented another milestone achievement in the friendly relations and south-south cooperation subsisting between the PRC and Liberia.

“It also signifies the firmness and longevity of our bilateral relationship: Good neighborliness,” he added.

Speaking at the ceremony after the signing of the Notes, Police Inspector General, Colonel Gregory B. Coleman lauded the PRC for the gesture and added that the Chinese have proven to be a dependable and strong partner to Liberia who stands with the country in sustaining its fragile peace and promoting the democracy.

“We are very grateful for this gesture and we can assure you that it will be accounted for and used for its intended purposes,” Colonel Coleman stated.

Colonel Coleman also expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China for helping to strengthen the nation’s peace and security.   

The Police Inspector General assured the Chinese Diplomat that as UNMIL transitions, his administration will properly take better care of every piece of material that will be provided the LNP in order to create a safe environment and foster economic development in Liberia. 

Also making remarks, Chinese Ambassador Zhang stated that the signing of the Notes and that of the Loan Agreement for the new Airport Terminal construction, which was done on Monday, October 3, 2016 adds flavor to their national holiday celebrations that are ongoing back home in China.

“China as a strong partner of Liberia has helped Liberia to first maintain peace and stability. Everything can’t be done without peace and security. From the very beginning of the post-war recovery process, our peacekeepers have been on the ground to help maintain peace,” Ambassador Zhang said.

He further stated that the provision of the batch of supplies is a cleared manifestation that China was not only standing with Liberia during peacekeeping but it is still with Liberia even after UNMIL draws down.  

He also stated that in the past few years, they have been engaged with the security sector including the Chinese Peacekeepers making some donation.

“This is the largest donation that China is making in the Security Sector; and it comes at a time when Liberia is about to go to elections for the smooth transfer of power,” he added.

H. E. Zhang indicated that coupled with the supplies there will be more capacity building for the LNP and other law enforcement actors. He stressed that security is the most fundamental part of every nation’s peace and stability.

Also making remarks after signing the notes Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin stated that China has always been a very great partner in Liberia’s post-war economic development.

Hon. Shoniyin used the occasion to thank the Chinese for the Loan Agreement that will be used to construct the Airport Terminal at the RIA.

“Mr. Ambassador, we just want to thank you and your Government for this gesture. Now today, after signing yesterday, we have come again to sign another extremely important instrument, which facilitates our post-UNMIL convergence and activities of the Government of Liberia.”

Acting Minister Shoniyin said the donation is very important because for the last 13 years, the security of the state has been shouldered by UNMIL while the Liberian Government restructured its security sector.

“Now, we believe that if we can assert the rule of law not by force but by the convergence of thoughts, comprising of many tools, including Community Policing and logistical support that allows police to respond to call and also to strengthen our deterrent modality by ensuring that the police is present everywhere, we would be able to avert crimes,” he stated.

He told Ambassador Zhang that the donation comes at a time when Liberia will be experiencing a major political transition. He further stated that Liberians look forward to the 2017 elections and anticipate that it will be conducted in the ways that reflects the stability of the state.