Liberia praises China for military equipment donations

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Wednesday lauded the Chinese government for donating equipment in supporting the rebuilding of a new Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).

In a statement made available to Xinhua in Monrovia, the Liberian leader said the donation, valued at 3 million U.S. dollars, has come at the right time when most of the equipment used by the army have now broken down.

She promised that the donated equipment would be used for the purposes intended.

The military equipment includes 20 heavy-duty trucks, two graders, 10,000 sets of uniforms, and 40 military tents.

"We are here to participate in the demonstration of true partnership; a partnership that comes to you at a time when you are really in need," the president said.

On his part, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Zhang Yue, said the presentation was the second batch of substantive military assistance from China to Liberia, during the tour of his duty near Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.

He stressed that in the past decade, China has been active in assisting the Liberian government and its people in their endeavors to rebuilding the country.

"We take Liberia's priorities as our assistance priorities and aim at bringing tangible benefit to the Liberian people," he added.

While voicing his appreciation of economic achievements made by the Liberian government led by President Sirleaf and the accelerated infrastructure construction, Zhang stressed the donation was another evidence to show China's sincere and strong support for Liberia in its efforts in peacekeeping and social stability maintenance during the course of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) drawdown and Liberia's post- Ebola recovery. Endit