20 November 2008
The Assistant Foreign Minister of Public Affairs, Mr. Josephus M. Gray, over the weekend returned home from the People's Republic of China where he led a two-man delegation that participated in a two-week young Diploma's program held in Beijing.
The Assistant Minister held discussions with Professor Heng Xiaijun, Vice President of China Foreign Affairs University last week while in China. Professor Xiajun is a Chinese diplomat.
The discussions, which were held at the University in Beijing, were aimed at seeking fellowships from the University for Young Liberian Diplomats to undergo studies in that Chinese higher institution of learning.
During the talks, Assistant Minister Gray reiterated President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-led Administration's commitment to the One-China Policy of Beijing and lauded the Chinese Government for its assistance to Liberia.
Professor Xiaojun lauded the Johnson-Sirleaf leadership of Liberia and indicated that the diplomatic ties existing between China and Liberia are cordially cemented.
The Chinese professor participated in the Seminar for young diplomats from developing African countries and he served as one of the lecturers.
Minister Gray, at the head of the delegation, recently departed the country for the Chinese Capital, Beijing, to participate in the major seminar on Young Diplomats for African Countries.
The Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister for Public Affairs and Mr. Denies Jallah, a Research Officer at the Afro-Asia Bureau of the Foreign Ministry, participated in the intensive diplomatic seminar on Human Resource Development & Cooperation, a program hosted by Beijing within the framework of China's Foreign Aid Policy.
The program was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, and brought together young diplomats from across Africa.
Mr. Gray said the seminar was also aimed at teaching managerial experience and practical techniques, promoting traditional friendship and cooperation in fields such as economics and trade between China and other developing countries.
"Besides, the program was also aimed at accelerating human resource development and economic and social progress in those countries while the seminar, at the same time was covering wide range of activities including lectures, discussions and practical works.
The young Diplomat's seminar also focused on making field trips to provinces, institutions and enterprises to help the participants to get the real image of developing China and be accorded opportunity to sit with local officials and entrepreneurs," the Assistant Minister further said.
On the other hand, Mr. Gray said the field trips provided the participants the forum to share information about the economic and political situation, investment circumstances, trade policies and cooperation intents of their countries and to find more opportunities and wider approaches for bilateral economic and specialized cooperation.
The youthful Liberian diplomat used the visit to Beijing to commend the Chinese Government for the invitation extended to the Liberian Foreign Ministry which enabled him as one of Liberia's representatives to participate in that Youth Diplomats Program.
Among the participants were officials of governments, senior managerial personnel and specialized technicians from 12 African countries including Liberia. The programs had got much recognition and great support from both Chinese and foreign governments.
As part of the program, the Assistant Minister along with other participants visited several historical sites in China including the Great Wall which is one of the Seven Wonders of the world; the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Olympic Stadium, a Shoaling Temple, the Hybird Rice Center in Changsha, the Broad Air-condition Factory and the Sany Company, among others.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister Gray visited the Liberian Embassy accredited to the People's Republic of China and held discussions with Liberian diplomats posted at that Liberian Mission. The Liberian diplomat said the discussions were aimed at further cementing Liberia-Sino relations.
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