February 10, 2021
Your Excellency Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning! A late happy new year to you all!
Today, on behalf of the Chinese government, I'm honored to sign the new phase Agreement of the Economic and Technical Cooperation with H.E. Foreign Minister Kemayah on behalf of the government of Liberia.
I'm 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 amounts to 150 million yuan, representing an increase of 50 million yuan over the previous period. This fully demonstrates China's profound friendship with and strong support to Liberia.
The aid is meant to be used for implementing projects to be agreed upon by both sides through friendly consultations, aiming at the promotion of peace, stability, prosperity and development of Liberia.
Our cooperation, 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 H.E. President Xi Jinping of China and the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) as advocated by H.E. President George Manneh Weah of Liberia, and serves the broad interests of our two governments and peoples.
Your Excellency Minister Kemayah,
Ladies and gentlemen,
COVID-19 is raging across the world, posing a huge threat to the well-beings and health safety of peoples of all countries. We highly appreciate the support rendered by the government and people of Liberia to China and the facilitation rendered by the health authority of Liberia on testing for and treatment of infected Chinese nationals working and living in Liberia.
Meanwhile, China is the first to offer assistance to Liberia and her people in your fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as we did when Ebola broke out in Liberia in 2014. The Chinese government including local provinces, Jack Ma and Alibaba Charity Foundations as well as our Embassy and the Chinese community in Liberia have donated several batches of medical and livelihood materials to Liberia, including testing kits, masks, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), etc.
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 tackling Lassa Fever, together with 1,800 pieces of PPEs. Last month, we also donated a batch of Medical Equipment which included a non-invasive ventilator and an oxygen generator to JFK Hospital.
Your Excellency Minister Kemayah,
Ladies and gentlemen,
February 12 is the Chinese New Year. We hope the Year of Ox which symbolizes courage, diligence an perseverance, will bring us all good health, success and prosperity. The Chinese side is ready to double our efforts to promote our all-round cooperation, especially in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, public health, telecommunication, electricity, mining and people-to-people exchanges.
Thank you.
