Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti in Beijing on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen coordination on international affairs.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and Liberia are friends and partners that have stood together through thick and thin, including the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, political mutual trust has continued to deepen and bilateral ties have been elevated to a strategic partnership, he said.

Wang praised Liberia for adhering to the one-China principle and said China supports Liberia in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. He added that China is willing to continue firmly supporting Liberia on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns.

He said China will continue providing assistance for Liberia's economic and social development and expand cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture and people's livelihoods. Wang also called for closer exchanges in culture, youth, sports and human resources under the framework of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Wang noted that China's zero-tariff policy for all African countries with diplomatic ties to China has officially taken effect, describing Liberia as one of the earliest beneficiaries. He said China is ready to work with Liberia to make full use of the policy to improve trade facilitation and unlock greater potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wang also said China supports Liberia in fulfilling its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with Liberia to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and safeguard the interests of the Global South.

Nyanti said Liberia and China are strategic partners sharing similar ideas, and bilateral relations have continued to grow under the guidance of the two heads of state. She reaffirmed Liberia's commitment to the one-China policy and expressed appreciation for China's long-term support for Liberia's development and pandemic response efforts.

She said Liberia hopes to learn from China's poverty reduction and development experience, deepen high-level exchanges and expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and people-to-people exchanges.

Nyanti also voiced support for the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and pledged to strengthen coordination with China within the United Nations framework to uphold international fairness and justice.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.