"The bilateral relationship between China and Liberia has entered a new stage of development. We strongly believe that maintaining and developing a new stable, equal, mutually beneficial partnership of all round cooperation between China and Liberia are in the best interest of our two peoples and two countries." These were the words of the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China (PRC) accredited near this capital, Lin Songtian, when he addressed the occasion marking the 57th Independence Day celebration of the PRC.

He said China was committed to global peace, development, and cooperation and encouraged all peoples and nationalities around the world to join hands in order to build what he referred to as a colorful but harmonious world.

"We adhere to the course of seeking development while safeguarding world peace and contributing to world peace through our own development. I am definitely sure that with rapid economic and social development, China will make more contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common developing," Amb. Lin told the occasion.

The 57th Independence Day celebration of the PRC was attended by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and an array of government officials and foreign dignitaries including the leadership of the Legislature, U.S.

Ambassador Donald Booth, and UN head of Mission Alan Doss, amongst several others.

Ambassador Lin hailed the Sirleaf Administration for the strides made thus far towards restoration and reconstruction and noted that the PRC was confident that the prospect of Liberia would be bright because the war had ended and that the people were anxious to sustain peace and development.

The Ambassador was especially pleased with the fact that the Sirleaf Administration was "clearly, firmly, and strongly committed to the One-China Policy", which he said represented a commitment to China's national reunification.

Given its commitment to the Sino-Liberia relations and in an effort to reciprocate Liberia's commitment to the reunification of the PRC, Ambassador Lin said, China has committed itself o actively participating in the process of peace and national reconstruction of Liberia and tried to render all possible assistance to Liberia within her best capacities.

The ambassador then recounted China's contributions to Liberia's reconstruction efforts, noting the renovation of the SKD Stadium; interior decoration of the office building of the Foreign Ministry; financial support; the donation of rice, farming tools, agricultural, road, and office equipment; the dispatch of agricultural and medical experts and 600 peacekeepers; provision of 50 full scholarships, and over 250 opportunities for Liberians to attend workshops and seminars in China in the past 3 years.

"And more importantly, the Chinese government takes a lead in writing off the mature debt Liberia owed China, opens its broad market to Liberia by rendering duty-free privileges to most Liberia-made products, and encourages capable investors to Liberia to carry out mutually-beneficial cooperation to seek our common development," he disclosed.

Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has accepted on behalf of herself and the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Isaac Nyenabo, an invitation extended them by the PRC government to pay a state visit in November this year.

President Sirleaf hailed the Sino-Liberia relations and congratulated the government and people of China for their national day.

She also thanked the Chinese government and people for their strategic support to Liberia specifically the PRC's contribution to the peace process beginning with its role in dispatching UNMIL to Liberia through the UN Security Council.

She reiterated Liberian government's support to the One-China Policy and ensured Ambassador Lin and the government of the PRC that Liberia's commitment to the policy was "irreversible".