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Liberian FM lauds ever stronger ties with "true friend" China

Xinhua, August 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

China is one of Liberia's truest friends and bilateral ties are growing stronger "day by day," Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan has said.

Ngafuan made the remarks at a welcoming dinner for a 20-member Chinese business delegation, according to a statement issued Sunday by the Liberian Foreign Ministry.

Noting that Liberia's Ebola crisis of 2014 was a "test of the solidity," Ngafuan said that during the crisis, some individuals and countries stepped in to help while some others distanced themselves.

"A friend in need is a friend in deed," Ngafuan said. "As bad as that crisis was, it was an opportunity to know our true friends, and China distinguished itself as one of Liberia's truest friends."

Speaking about his country's economic development, the minister said Liberia has drawn up an economic recovery plan to lead the nation out of the woods.

"We cannot talk about Liberia's development without talking about China and its role," he said.

Liberia's history since President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf came to power in 2006 cannot be fully written if chapters are not dedicated to the very important role China has played and continues to play in the country's recovery process from decades of war, he added.

The foreign minister also said that the two nations have worked together both in the political arena and in economic areas to strengthen their relationship.

Ngafuan urged the Chinese delegation to link up with Liberian entrepreneurs in order to help the nation's private sector grow.

The Chinese delegation, consisting of representatives of major Chinese mining, power and high-tech companies, is in Liberia to explore investment in infrastructure, energy and other fields.

In addition, Ngafuan said he looks forward to a visit by his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to the country and will work with the Chinese side to guarantee its success. Endi