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Beijing, PRC – Ahead of The Forum for Africa-China Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, Chinese president Xi Jinping met his Liberian counterpart George Weah at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on Saturday.
The Beijing (FOCAC) summit is a meeting between Africa and China, the two partners, and is largely premised on ways to increase diplomatic, economic and bilateral ties.
It officially kicks off on 3 September through to 4 September. This year’s edition is themed “China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.”
Chinese president Xi, in his meeting with the Liberian leader, stressed that China-Liberia friendship conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, saying, the Chinese side appreciates the firm and clear-cut stance taken by President Weah and the new Liberian government over issues concerning the one China principle.
He disclosed that China stands ready to intensify exchanges at all levels, and strengthen cooperation in fields such as agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare with the Liberian side.
Xi called on the two countries to deepen their mutual understanding and support on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, saying that China will speak out for Liberia’s rights in multilateral institutions.
President Xi expressed the hope that President Weah, who was a world-renowned football star, would help intensify the exchanges of youth and sports between the two countries with his special influence.
President Weah, for his part, reiterated his country’s position on the Sino-Liberia relations, indicating that Liberia firmly upholds the one-China principle and appreciates China’s selfless aid to his country’s efforts in containing the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.
“The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Liberia has brought substantial benefits to the Liberian people,” said Weah, adding that Liberia supports the Belt and Road Initiatives, and stands ready to participate in cooperation within the initiative’s framework.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of documents for bilateral cooperation after their meeting.
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of Liberia established bilateral relations on February 17, 1977, but on October 9, 1989, the Liberian Government under the rule of slain president Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe, signed a Joint Communiqué with Taiwan authorities claiming “Reestablishment of diplomatic relations.”
This move on the part of the Liberian government triggered the Chinese Government to break diplomatic ties with Liberia on the following day.
Howbeit, on August 10, 1993, China and Liberia resumed diplomatic ties, but on September 5, 1997, again ties were severed between the two countries when jailed former Liberian president Charles Taylor proclaimed a “two Chinas” policy by recognizing both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC-Taiwan).
It can be recalled, the PRC broke relations with Liberia on October 10, 1989 after President Samuel Doe’s government officially recognized Taiwan because it had offered Liberia US$200 million in aid for education and infrastructure. It was only in 1993 that the ROC opened an embassy in Monrovia, making Liberia one of the few nations which established diplomatic ties to both the PRC and ROC.
Since then it was not until on October 11, 2003, China and Liberia resumed diplomatic ties, with the Chinese Embassy in Monrovia reopening its doors on January 12, 2004, and both nations so far have had a blossoming bilateral relationship to date.
Source: China Central Television (CCTV)
