Ecumenically speaking, there is a maxim that: "Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are". It sounds a bit philosophical and prophetic, but what it also seeks to bring into perspective is a mutual partnership that has transcended an understanding of give and take, but encapsulates the willingness and commitment of the People's Republic of China to identify with an emerging nation like Liberia with a view to helping steer its steady recovery at this challenging moment. Quite honestly, our association with China is bearing fruits.
We wish to emphasize partnership given that no strings are attached after all. This is commendable if you like. China will be remembered by the Liberian people as a friend that has come to help teach us how to fish in order for growth and development to be driven by our own passion and convictions. China wants Liberians to do for their country what no other person will patriotically commit himself/herself to. Well said.
The good people of this country will at various times use separate yardsticks to measure our real and true friends. When the former American President Bill Clinton came under tremendous pressure regarding his alleged extra affairs with a former White House Intern Monica Lewinski, Nelson Mandela, in an attempt to stand by him said "Africans believe that our true friend is the one who comes around in solidarity when your house is on fire". The search for peace was on and the cries of the Liberian people to return this country to normalcy became priority number One. China was among the true friends of this country that came to our aid.
As a mark of its commitment, China announced to the world that it was committing 500 troops towards the UN peacekeeping efforts in Liberia. The movement of Chinese peacekeepers was rapidly pursued. While these gallant men keep the peace ? they have similarly embarked on a number of Chinese soldiers ? driven road rehabilitation in the southeaster part of the country. We salute their passion for so unique a service to humanity. Positively, they undertake various self-help projects to help in the rebuilding of shattered communities. What is the point in all of this? Our people are being taught how to appreciate the essence of "self-help" activities. The Chinese are there with them. We welcome the priceless commitment of our Chinese friends to teach our people in a sustainable direction.
Ever since 2003 when the Government of the great People's Republic of China took that landmark decision to reopen and position its mission near our capital, we can confidently say from the writings on the wall that China's role, involvement and continued support to the government and people of Liberia have been enormously recorded. Notably, China's support range from educational, health, sports, media, military, etc.
We acknowledge the diversity of China's interventions and the impact being made at so critical a time in the history of our country. We are not giving any impressions that other friendly countries are not identifying with this country. Hundreds of Liberians have benefited from scholarships, seminars and various capacity building opportunities in various centers across China. The University of Liberia Fendell Campus is bracing itself for a semi-University city as China has commenced the construction of residential quarters for faculty members and modern state of the art dormitories and lecture halls.
What more can we say about the People's Republic of China? In our partnership with China, we see the beginning of a new frontier, the opening of another window of opportunity between our two peoples and country; we see on the horizon the transfer of technically meaningful skills geared towards transforming Liberia into another middle income economy ? South of the Sahara. Can anyone take a close look at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex today? Can we imagine what it looked like three to four years ago? We are speaking of concrete manifestation that will remain in the annuls of history. We want to laud China for not only walking the walk, but talking the talk.
Tarpita District in Nimba County that brings together cross-cultural fertilization of clans between Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties is on the verge of receiving a 100-bedroom hospital at the behest of the People's Republic of China. Our people will indeed have access to quality service. It is the Liberian people that will gain benefit for such modern facility.
Source: The Heritage Newspaper ( May 19, 2008)
