China, Liberia to strengthen bilateral cooperation under new partnership

China and Liberia on Thursday pledged to strengthen the bilateral cooperation after the two countries agreed to establish an all-round cooperative partnership.

China was ready to cooperate with Liberia on energy and resources development, wood and agricultural processing, infrastructure construction and human resource development to help Liberia's development and poverty reduction, said Premier Li Keqiang.

Li told visiting Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in their meeting at the Great Hall of the People that the Chinese government will also continue to help Liberia's reconstruction after the outbreak of the ebola epidemic.

China will support Liberia's social and economic development and help it develop its public health system, said the premier.

Zhang Dejiang, a top Chinese legislator, called on the two countries to strengthen cooperation between legislative bodies to give better legal protection, in his meeting with Sirleaf on Thursday afternoon.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislative body, said the NPC would further enhance exchanges with Liberia's National Assembly on legislation and national governance.

Sirleaf expressed gratitude for China's assistance during the ebola outbreak, as well as the assistance it gave to support social and economic development.

She said the Liberian government attached high importance to relations with China and would expand cooperation to areas including mining, fishing, wood and agricultural processing.

President Xi Jinping, who invited Sirleaf to visit China, held talks with her on Wednesday. The two countries agreed to establish an all-round cooperative partnership in the meeting. Endi