Special Remarks delivered by H.E. YIN Chengwu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Liberia

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening!

Welcome to the reception. This gives us an opportunity to review China-Liberia relations and move forward together, while keeping in mind the original aspiration. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1977, especially since the resumption of diplomatic relations in 2003, China-Liberia relations have made great progress on the basis of one-China principle. Looking back on the journey, there were twists and turns, but the friendship between us has never stopped. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who made contributions to China-Liberia relations.

Over the past decades, the two countries have maintained exchanges at various levels. Important leaders have exchanged visits dozens of times. In particular, in 2009, the then-Liberian Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai paid a successful visit to China at the invitation of the then-Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, making President Boakai one of the first current African leaders to engage with President Xi.

Over the past decades, the bilateral exchanges and cooperation have achieved fruitful results in various fields. Let me list some:

--China actively joined the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Liberia. From 2003 to 2017, China sent 19 successive peacekeeping units to Liberia, with a total of 10,297 officers and soldiers. From 2013 to 2018, China sent five formed peacekeeping police anti-riot teams to Liberia, with a total of about 1000 officers. They made great contributions to the work of UNMIL and the peace in Liberia, and were lauded by the UN and the Liberian government.

--In the field of agriculture, China has implemented a number of technical assistance projects. The Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre in Bong County had 2500 trainees for local communities. The Centre successfully produced hybrid rice seed in April 2019, helping Liberia to end its dependence on hybrid rice seed imports, achieve local production, thereby promoting food security. China has carried out six terms of technical assistance project of bamboo and rattan weaving and vegetable planting for Liberian youths since 2007. More than 900 technical young people were trained, and the weaving products and vegetables planted by the trainees account for about 50% of the share of the market.

--In the field of infrastructure, China built the Barreke Sugar Mill and the SKD Sports Complex for Liberia in the early years. After the civil war, Ministry of Health Office Building, University of Liberia Fendall Campus, the Tappita Hospital, the Monrovia Vocational Training Center, the Annex Building of the Parliament Building, the EJS Ministerial Complex Building and the Roberts International Airport Terminal Building, built with Chinese assistance, have become new landmarks in Liberia. Many quality roads constructed by Chinese companies have also become important corridors for Liberia's economic and social development.

--In the field of health, China has sent 16 medical teams to Liberia since 1984, and signed a new protocol for sending Chinese medical teams to Liberia (2022-2027) with the Liberian government in 2022. The medical team diagnoses and treats an average of 7,000 people per year, often holds various health training, and goes to remote counties every year to provide free medical checkup. Both last year and this year, the Chinese medical team respectively donated more than US$100,000 in medical supplies to JFK Hospital. JFK Hospital and China’s Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital are also cooperating in the Department of Cardiology.

--In the field of epidemic response, China was the first country to provide emergency assistance to Liberia in its fight against Ebola and COVID-19 in both 2014 and 2020. After the Ebola epidemic broke out, China assisted Liberia in building a treatment center with about 100 beds, provided a large quantity of medical supplies, and sent 480 medical staff to provide medical services. After the outbreak of COVID-19, China donated 6 batches of medical materials, including masks, PPEs, infrared thermometers, ventilators, oxygen concentrators, ambulances, etc. JFK Hospital was also selected as one of 30 African counterpart hospitals to cooperate with Chinese hospitals in response to the pandemic.

--In the field of education, China began to offer scholarship to students from Liberia in 1986, and has provided about 1,000 scholarships and thousands of various training opportunities to Liberia. At present, more than 700 Liberian students are studying in China. Since 2011, the Chinese Embassy in Liberia has also provided China Ambassador Scholarship to more than 100 outstanding students from educational institutions such as the University of Liberia, Cuttington University, and Tubman University every year. Changsha University of Science and Technology in China has also jointly established the Confucius Institute with University of Liberia to help Liberian students learn Chinese language and culture.

--In the field of economy, trade and investment, China has become Liberia's major trading partner. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries reached 320 million U.S. dollars, and China’s investment in Liberia reached 13 million U.S. dollars. At present, 97% of Liberia’s exports to China enjoy zero-tariff treatment. There are more than 20 Chinese state-owned enterprises and 50 private companies investing and operating in Liberia. Most of the major infrastructure projects are constructed by Chinese companies, including the 180 kilometer road from Monrovia to Gbarnga, the repairing of the 68.6-kilometer road from Gbarnga-Ganta-Guinea border, the 50-kilometer road from Caloocan to Harper, and the reconstruction and upgrading of Roberts Airport, upgrading of the Monrovia port container yard, the demolition and construction of oil tanks of the National Electric Power Company, and the power transmission and transformation projects in four West African countries.

--In the field of people's livelihood, 50 boreholes built with China's aid have helped schools in rural areas of Liberia obtain safe drinking water. In 2021, the Chinese government spent US$2 million to purchase food through the World Food Program and provided food to approximately 55,250 students and their families in Montserrado, Nimba and Maryland. In 2022, the Chinese government, in cooperation with UNICEF, implemented a food and nutrition assistance project worth US$1 million, benefiting pregnant women and newborns in 15 states of Liberia.

ladies and gentlemen,

From China-Liberia relations, we can draw some inspirations.

Firstly, we respect and support each other in safeguarding core interests. China has always supported Liberia in safeguarding national sovereignty. Liberia also supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. For example, Liberia is the first country to codify the one-China principle internally. In 2005, the National Transitional Assembly of Liberia passed the resolution adhering to the one-China principle by reaffirming the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 which recognized that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is part of China. It reinforced the one-China principle reaffirmed by the whole Government of Liberia, which is highly appreciated.

The Taiwan question is an internal affair of China and allows no external interference. It is at the very core of China’s core interests. There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. No matter who is the leader of Taiwan, it cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and there is only one China in the world; it cannot change the universal consensus of the international community to adhere to the one-China principle; it cannot change the historical trend that China will eventually be reunified. Just today, in the speech at the so-called inauguration, the Taiwan region’s new leader stubbornly followed the “Taiwan independence” stance, wantonly advocated separatism, incited cross-Strait confrontation and sought independence by relying on foreign support and by force, which will be doomed to failure.

Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. In 1895, China was forced to sign a treaty to cede Taiwan as a result of the Sino-Japanese War. In December 1941, the Chinese government declared war against Japan, and proclaimed that all treaties regarding relations between China and Japan had been abrogated. In December 1943, the Cairo Declaration signed by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom stipulated that Taiwan and other territories stolen from China by Japan should be restored to China. In July 1945, the Potsdam Proclamation signed by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom (and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union) reiterated that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its surrender and accepted the Potsdam Proclamation. In October, China formally resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan. The above-mentioned documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and also established the legal foundation of Taiwan’s status as China’s inalienable territory.

On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. The Resolution resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that there is only one seat of China in the United Nations, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.” Ever since, the U.N. and its specialized agencies, and also other intergovernmental international organizations have all adhered to it. They regard Taiwan as a province of China and do not recognize the so-called international representation of the Taiwan authorities. As part of China's territory, Taiwan has no basis, reason or right to participate in the UN or any other international organizations where membership is exclusive to sovereign countries. Any issue concerning the Taiwan region's participation in the activities of international organizations must be handled on the basis of the one-China principle, as reaffirmed by UNGA Resolution 2758. The principle is again confirmed in May 1972 by Resolution 25.1 of the 25th World Health Assembly (WHA), which was adopted in accordance with UNGA Resolution 2758.

The one-China principle is the fundamental prerequisite and political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with all countries. From the very first country that established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, to the 183rd, namely Nauru, they have all made political commitment to adhering to the one-China principle, and included this commitment in political documents such as communiqués and joint statements on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. And they have all severed the so-called “diplomatic” relations with Taiwan. This shows that the one-China principle has the extensive support of the international community. It is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. Also, the one-China principle is the anchor of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Secondly, we focused on the well-being of the people. China and Liberia are both developing countries facing the task of developing their economies, improving their livelihoods and striving a better life. China has always adhered to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and taking the right approach to friendship and interests, and has actively promoted cooperation between the two countries under the framework of South-South cooperation, so as to bring tangible benefits and continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples.

Thirdly, we treat each other as equal and cooperate in solidarity. China and Liberia have unique cultural and historical traditions, and are both founding members of the United Nations and major participants in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC), the Belt and Road Initiative and other cooperation mechanisms. The two countries regard each other as equal member of the international community, support each other, strengthen solidarity and promote friendship and cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since President Boakai was elected, especially since he took office, President Xi Jinping and President Boakai have maintained close communications. Under the strong leadership and strategic guidance of both Presidents, China-Liberia relations is entering a new stage and opening up new development opportunities. Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with the Liberia side to seize the opportunities and move forward hand in hand.

We will continue to advance engagement at all levels and in all areas. In particular, the FOCAC Summit will be held in China this autumn, and I hope that the leaders of the two countries will have the opportunity to meet, which would give strong impetus to the bilateral relations. We will also promote exchanges between the two countries in legislature, law enforcement, military and localities.

We will strive to promote practical cooperation in various fields. China is making every effort to advance Chinese path to modernization. Rather than pursuing modernization alone, we look forward to working with other countries to achieve modernization together. China is willing to strengthen the docking of the Belt and Road Initiative and President Boakai’s ARREST agenda, and continuously expand China-Liberia practical cooperation. In particular, China is willing to renew China-Liberia Maritime Agreement, and will work with the Liberian side to implement a number of projects, including the LBS upgrade and expansion project, the Fingerprint Examination Lab, the two Overpass Bridges on Tubman Boulevard, the National Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Lab at the 14 Military Hospital and 7th terms of technical assistance project of bamboo and rattan weaving and vegetable planting. At the same time, China is willing to explore new cooperation with Liberia in agriculture, economy, trade, education and other fields.

We will strengthen communication and cooperation with the Liberian side on international and regional issues. At present, the international situation is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the world is facing a variety of major problems and challenges. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Liberian side to uphold multilateralism, to participate in global governance, to safeguard the common interests of the “Global South” and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

ladies and gentlemen,

China is moving towards its second centenary goal, and Africa is also accelerating towards the beautiful vision described in the African Union's Agenda 2063. Under the new situation, let us keep in mind our original aspirations, create a favourable environment for our respective development visions, continue to promote China-Liberia cooperation to achieve new results, and write a new chapter of China-Liberia friendship.

Finally, may I propose a toast,

For the health of all distinguished guests,

For the new chapter of China-Liberia friendship,

Cheers!

Thank you.