The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Liberia, Zhou Yuxiao, said he is optimistic that Liberia's agricultural sector would greatly improve, toward food self-sufficiency, if the citizens and their Government would roll up their sleeves and work hard to maximize its food production.

 

"If China ca do it with only seven per cent of arable lad available to us to feed 1.3 billion people, Liberia ca surely do it with all the fertile land, rainfall ad sunshine available to her three million people," Ambassador Zhou declared.

 

His optimism is based, he said, on Liberia's vast acreage of fertile lad which is covered with abundant rain ad sunshine. All the country needs is a tough, hardworking labor force that is committed to the goal of food self-sufficiency, he asserted.

 

The Chinese Envoy wondered, "If my country, China, with an already huge population, to which 10 million are added each year, ca feed itself, I am convinced that Liberia with a much smaller population and vast, fertile land ad abundant rainfall ad sunshine can do the same."

 

Ambassador Zhou made the pronouncement on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on the publisher of the Daily Observer newspaper, Kenneth Y. Best, at the paper's McDonald Street offices in Monrovia.

 

During his visit, the Ambassador reaffirmed his country's commitment to Liberia's post-war reconstruction process.

 

"I am trying in keeping with my mandate to promote Liberia-China bilateral relationship, but when the citizens through the media are mobilized, both the countries can do something better to promote our good bilateral relationship," he said.

 

Pledging to continue the "good work" already established by his predecessor, Lin Songtian, the new Chinese envoy maintained that while it was good that Liberia learn from China's example in many areas, his country, on the other hand, can learn a lot from Liberia as well.

 

"My objectives," the Ambassador explained, "are to promote our good bilateral relationship and at the same time, set development agendas and provide help to Liberia in whatever way possible in her quest to rebuild her economy and her infrastructure."

 

China's economy was growing rapidly, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors because, according to him, his government has been able over an extended period to mobilize the ordinary citizens to work for the development of China and for the improvement of their own lives. China-Liberia relations are very much on course, he declared, as he referred to a number of major projects which his government is undertaking toward enhancing Liberia's recovery and strengthening Sino-Liberia relations.

 

Among these are the US$20 million ongoing rehabilitation at the University of Liberia's Fendell Campus outside Monrovia; and revitalization of the Tappita Hospital in Lower Nimba County. He also mentioned the reconstruction of the military barracks near Gbarnga in Bong County and construction of the modern radio transmitter at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).

 

The Ambassador also indicated that his government is committed to building three high schools in Montserrado and Bomi Counties. Those in Montserrado will be built at ELBC village in Paynesville; and in New Georgia, off Somalia Drive. He further referred to the ongoing project at the Booker Washington Institute, where Chinese experts are engaged in training in rice cultivation and other projects.

 

In the future, he said, his government would do more by providing scholarships to Liberian students to study in China.

 

He was convinced, he said, that there is a lot more that China and Liberia can do together because the fundamental principles behind the achievement of these goals are peace, security and hard work.

 

Meanwhile, Ambassador Zhou has spoken of the important role the media can play in bridging the gap between nations and peoples.

 

The media, he said, are important sources of information, especially during this difficult period of the country's reconstruction.

 

He expressed the hope that the Liberian media and its partners would play a positive role by accentuating the fundamental concepts that would bring development to war-torn Liberia and also portray other positive things other nations around the world were doing to strengthen development.

 

The Ambassador then commended the Daily Observer for what he called the highly professional publication its management produces daily, and urged it to continue the work.

 

In his welcome remarks, the Observer publisher, Mr. Best, on behalf of the staff, thanked Ambassador Zhou and his colleagues for their visit; and for the warm sentiments they brought.

 

The Observer M.D. said he had great admiration for China's achievements, given the great challenges it faces, especially its massive population. He also appreciated the Chinese work ethic which has caused the most populous country to be so successful.

 

Mr. Best, who briefly underscored the critical need for highly professional Liberian media, assured the Chinese Envoy of the Observer's cooperation in giving all necessary coverage to the Chinese Embassy whenever the need arises. "We are committed to assist all embassies, including yours, in fulfilling their objectives of improving the good relations subsisting between their governments and ours," he added.

 

Mr. Best expressed the Observer's commitment to pay serious and sustained attention to national development. "That is why the newspaper makes it a point to give coverage to as many development initiatives as possible in the country. Liberia's development needs are tremendous support and we must do our part to help fulfill them," he added.

 

He concurred with Ambassador Zhou that the Liberian media should also educate our public and the world through our website about positive developments taking place in other parts of the world, "in order to help our people know and understand what is possible that if others can do it, so can we."

 

Ambassador Zhou and his entourage were later taken on a guided tour of the Daily Observer's offices, including the newsroom, the layout department, the editorial offices, the printing house as well as other facilities.

 

Source: Daily Observer, Feb.29, 2008