Trade, Economic assistance and Cooperation

Trade, economic assistance and cooperation have always been important factors in China and Liberian relations. Particularly since the resumption of bilateral relations in 2003, the Chinese Government has tried its best to promote bilateral cooperation and trade and provide assistance within its capacity to Liberia in fields of education and human resources development, agriculture, health, infrastructure and etc.

Trade

According to statistics issued by the Ministry of Commerce of China, the Sino-Liberian trade volume in 2006 totaled 531.76 million US dollars, among which China's export reached 529.83 million US dollars while its import was 1.93 million US dollars.  China has been encouraging all sectors in Liberia to expand its export to China by taking the advantages of China's offer of zero-tariff on more than 440 commodity items exported to China by the least developed countries, so as to reduce its imbalance of trade.

Education and Human Resources Development

In 1981, China began to offer scholarship to Liberian students. By 1995, altogether 41 Liberia students benefited from this arrangement.

Since the resumption of bilateral relations in 2003, the Chinese Government has increased its scholarship to Liberian students. There are now 53 Liberian students studying in China under full Chinese government scholarship.

Under the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Chinese Government has been strengthening its cooperation with Liberia in human resources development. Since 2003, more than 300 Liberians from various professions have attended short-term training courses in China.

China is also working on the rehabilitation of the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia in collaboration with the United States and on the renovation of 3 laboratories in the same university.  Preparations are under way and the construction work will commence during the coming dry season.  China is also going to build 3 rural schools for Liberia.  The sites have been chosen by the Liberian side and the construction work is expected to be completed in 2008.

Health

China began dispatching medical teams to Liberia in July 1984. By October 1989, 3 Chinese medial teams totaled 42 personnel had successively worked in Liberia. In September 2005, China resumed its medical assistance to Liberia by sending a 9-person medical team to JFK Medical Center in Monrovia. The second medical team of the same number arrived on October 17, 2007 to replace the first one and it will continue to provide medical services for the Liberian people for another two years.

A China-aided Anti-malaria Prevention and Treatment Center was set up in JFK Medical Center in February 2007. Anti-malaria drugs and equipment have been donated to the Centre by China.  A group of experts will come before the end of 2007 to train local personnel to manage the Centre.

A modern hospital will also be built in Liberia with Chinese aid.  Tapeta has been chosen as the site by the Liberian side.  A small site survey team will come soon from China to decide the location.  Construction is expected to start in 2008.

Agriculture

From September 2005, a Chinese agricultural team has been working in the Booker Washing Institute in Kakata, Margibi County, disseminating high-yielding hybrid rice technology.  This team will be replaced by the second one, which will continue the current work for another two years.  In May 2006, China offered farming tools worth of 1 million US dollars to Liberia. To further enhance its assistance to the agriculture development, China has decided to establish an Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center in Liberia.  Site selection has been completed and construction will start in 2008.

Infrastructure

In 1986, the China-aided SKD Stadium was successfully completed. After resumption of bilateral relations, the renovation of the same stadium became the priority of Chinese assistance. After 19 months of hard work, the project was completed in July 2007.

In March 2007, the China-aided Inner Decoration of the Foreign Ministry Office Building was completed.

China has agreed to rehabilitate the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) and the reconstruction is scheduled to start in November 2007 when the dry season comes.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Tubman Military Barracks was held in July 2007 and the China-aided project is expected to be completed in 2008.

Since China is a developing country itself and Chinese government's ability to provide assistance is rather limited.  Therefore, Chinese Government encourages Chinese private sectors, particularly the enterprises that enjoy strong financial capability and good reputation to come to Liberia for mutually beneficial cooperation in different fields.  Its efforts have yielded some positive results.  For instance, China Henan International Corporation (CHICO) has won the bid to rehabilitate the Monrovia-Buchanan Roads.  China Union Investment Corporation has offered to invest in the building of a special economic zone in Buchanan. Some other big companies are ready to make investments in other areas such as hydropower stations. Prominent telecommunication companies like Huawei and ZTE are now operating in Liberia.  With the improvement of Liberia's peace and stability, more Chinese enterprises are expected to come to make investments which will certainly generate revenue, job opportunities and development for Liberia.