IPNews-Monrovia: An executive member of Congress of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has lauded and described the existing relationship between the PRC and the Republic of Liberia as having ‘taken roots’ and is therefore ready to enhance exchanges with Liberia on China’s remarkable achievements in seven decades on poverty and backwardness.
According to a release from the Speaker’s office, Mr. Wu Weihua, the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), leading a four-man Chinese delegation, said the NPC is ready to enhance exchanges of their government experiences with Liberia to fight poverty and backwardness, arguing that both countries faced poverty and backwardness.
“China and Liberia friendship has taken roots in peoples’ heart.” Mr. Wu added. “China is ready to enhance exchanges of government experience with Liberia. China and Liberia are both developing countries faced with the same past of emerging from poverty and backwardness and achieving prosperity and developments.”
He added: “But over the past seven decades, since the founding of the People’s Republic, China has made remarkable achievements from twists and turns and, in the process, have accumulated some experience and will be happy to share with their African brothers.”
Other members of the Chinese delegation include Mr. Ren Jianhua, Head of the Discipline and Supervision of the NPC, Mr. Liu Zhenwei, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the NPC, and Mr. Liu Qian, vice Chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee.
In a special statement on Monday in the House’s Chamber, Wu told the leaderships and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate that China is committed and will continuously uphold the ideal of sincerity, friendship and equality. He said China will pursue common interest and put friendship first as well as will be committed to openness and inclusiveness.
“No interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths to state their national conditions; no interference of African countries’ internal affairs; and no account of political strings through assistance, no seeking of selfish of political gains in investment of financing cooperation with Africa,” Mr. Wu indicated.
Mr. Wu said the result of the China and Liberia friendships caused the scholarships of over 2,800 Liberians in several technical fields and China has built infrastructures including Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex, Jackson F. Doe Hospital, the Ministry of Health, the Fendall Campus of the University of Liberia, and the Annexes of the Capitol Building of the Legislature.
Meanwhile, the visiting delegation of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China has, together with the Liberian Government, reconfirmed unwavering commitment to fruitful diplomatic relations underpinned by the One-China Policy.
The four-man delegation, headed by Mr. Wu Weihua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, met with the Acting Chair of the Cabinet and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill, and with an array of Government officials Monday at the Cecil Dennis Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. McGill recounted a number of development interventions that China has made in Liberia’s recovery and development efforts.-Press release
He said China’s continued assistance to Liberia over the years, coupled with several new projects in the pipeline, manifests the strength and reliability of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Minister McGill lauded the Chinese government for always coming to the call of Liberia in critical times, including the days of the deadly Ebola outbreak at which time China was one of the first few countries that stood by Liberia.
He told the delegation that President Weah was glad that discussions held with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping, have been bearing fruits to the mutual benefit of the peoples of Liberia and China. The Acting Chair of the cabinet further reiterated Liberia’s commitment to One-China Policy, which according to him, is sacrosanct and unbending, constituting the bulwark of Liberia’s relations with the socialist republic.
He expounded on Liberia’s vast investment opportunities and called on the delegation to encourage Chinese businesspeople and investors to take advantage of the investment potentials and the bustling relations subsisting between the two countries. The head of the delegation, His Excellency Wu Weihua, said he and his delegation were elated by the warm reception of the Government and people of Liberia.
He particularly praised President Weah for maintaining a stable democratic space and peace in the absence of the international stabilization force, UNMIL. He expressed delight over the implementation of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development and said China was ready to help Liberia achieve important deliverable of the Agenda.
Mr. Wu said he and the National People Congress delegation were in the country to strengthen relations with the National Legislature and to get a firsthand appreciation of progress being made in Liberia.
Acknowledging the enormity of challenges facing Liberia, the Chinese congressman averred that his country remains committed to helping the Weah-led administration deliver on its promises to the people.He said the relevant competent departments of both Chinese and Liberian governments will have to work together to explore and undertaken development programs particularly in the areas of agriculture, health and education.
Other members of the Chinese congressional delegation included RenJianhua, Head of Discipline Inspection and Supervision Group; Mr. Liu Zhenwui, Vice Chairperson of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee; Mr. Liu Qian, Vice Chairperson of Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee.
