Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, September 6, 2024. /Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Liberia relations to a strategic partnership.
Xi pointed out that in recent years, the peoples of China and Liberia have stood together through hardships such as the fight against the Ebola virus and the COVID-19 pandemic. Xi also noted that they have sincerely cooperated in national development efforts, giving new meaning to their bilateral ties. He emphasized that China is willing to work with Liberia to steadily and effectively implement the outcomes of the summit, aiming to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights.
Xi emphasized that China appreciates President Boakai's commitment to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with Liberia. Xi expressed hope that the two countries can support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, and jointly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Xi stated that China is prepared to offer support within its capacity for Liberia's infrastructure development and to enhance cooperation in areas such as maritime transport, agriculture and resource development. He emphasized that as both China and Liberia are members of the Global South, they should work together with other developing countries to uphold fairness and justice and promote global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, September 6, 2024. /Xinhua
Boakai expressed his gratitude for China's long-term support, noting that cooperation with China has improved the livelihood of Liberians in many areas, including infrastructure, healthcare and education. He reaffirmed Liberia's firm adherence to the one-China policy and its commitment to developing a strategic partnership with China. He expressed hope that the summit would provide an opportunity to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields and help Liberia achieve modernization.
During the summit, China and Liberia signed bilateral cooperation agreements in areas such as maritime transport.