Monrovia-President George Weah has told a gathering of African leaders in Beijing that the Africa-China relations have attained new heights under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.
By Augustine B. Kollie-www.augustinekollie87@yahoo.com
President Weah said there has been significant increase of investments in infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and public housing.
The Liberian leader said the values of mutual friendship and shared development interests will continue to shape China-Africa relations in years to come.
Dr. Weah mentioned that the continent remains grateful for the resources, opportunities and possibilities that FOCAC presents to Africa and its people.
President Weah said through the generosity of China, Liberia has benefited significant infrastructural developments which have had direct and positive impacts on improving the quality of citizens.
During his address at the China-Africa summit, the Liberian leaders pledged to take measures aimed at enhancing the already strong bilateral relations and cooperation existing the two countries.
PRESIDENT WEAH’S FULL SPEECH
“Your Excellency, Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission; Your Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and Co-Chairman of the FOCAC Summit; Your Excellency, Paul Kigami, President of Rwanda and Chairman of the African Union; Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government; Honorable Ministers and Officials of Government; Heads of International Organizations, of Regional Economic Communities, and of Non-Governmental Organizations; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen: I am pleased to be here today to represent the Government and the People of Liberia at this 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (“FOCAC’).
This Summit provides the leaders of Africa the opportunity to meet and dialogue with the Government of the Republic of China. Under the able leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping China-Africa relations have attained new heights. There has been a significant increase of investments in infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and public housing, as well as in other critical sectors across various African countries.
The FOCAC is also a measure of Chinese commitment to the development and transformation of Africa. This commitment is characterized by core Chinese principles such as sincerity, affinity, and good faith. The values of mutual friendship and shared development interests will continue to shape China-Africa relations in the years to come. We are deeply grateful for the resources, opportunities and possibilities the FOCAC presents to Africa and its peoples.
EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
Liberia remains grateful to the Goverment and people of China for the strong support and assistance it has received from China over the years. Through the generosity of China, we have been the beneficiary of many significant infrastructure developments, which have had a direct and positive impact on improving the quality of life of our citizens.
We would also be remiss if we did not mention the exceptional assistance that was rendered by China during the Ebola pandemic which afflicted our citizens in 2014 and 2015. China was the very first country to provide humanitarian support to Liberia in the form of material supplies, equipment, and medical personnel to assist us to effectively combat this disease.
This is a true reflection of the compassion and humanitarianism of President Xi Jinping, who continues to pay high attention to the epidemic situation in West Africa, and who has declared that the Chinese government will continue to help African countries fight against this epidemic, for which we are also deeply grateful. Finally, we must laud China for its support to peace and security in Africa. China has actively supported the peacekeeping capacity of several member states of the African Union, which has enhanced our efforts and capabilities to solve regional issues independently.
Under my Administration, Liberia will take all necessary measures to enhance the already strong bilateral relations and cooperation existing between our two countries. Let me assure you, that Liberia-China relations will reach new levels as we work together to achieve the mutual aspirations of our peoples.
EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
Liberia is determined to work with China and our sister African countries to expand this win-win collaboration between Africa and China, and to defend the multi-lateralism of the international order and the world free trade system. In this regard, Liberia remains firmly committed to the One-China Policy, and China-Africa joint collaboration under the “Belt and Road” initiatives. It is our strong belief that these policies will strengthen the unity and cooperation which already exists between China and the developing countries of Africa. YOUR EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: It is our hope that the deliberations of this FOCAC Summit will renew and strengthen the bonds of friendship and collaboration that already exist between Africa and China, to the mutual benefit of all. I thank you.”