The People's Republic of China and the Liberian Government have signed an agreement under which China will provide a 70,000,000 Renmibi Yuan (equivalent to about US$10 million) grant to Liberia for completion of projects agreed upon by the two governments.

According to the agreement signed Friday evening in the Great Hall of the People in full view of Vice President Xi Jinping of China and

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai of Liberia, the assistance, which is in fulfillment of the outcomes of the 2008 Beijing Summit otherwise known as the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation, is intended to further enhance the friendly relations and promote economic and technical cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement said the amount will be used to complete construction work on the new the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Congo

Town and other projects.

According to the agreement, four hundred thousand Yuan of this amount will go towards dispatching a Chinese technical team to survey the project which was started during the Samuel Doe administration, but abandoned in the 1980s when the Doe government broke diplomatic ties with Mainland China and opened diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which is considered a renegade province of the People's Republic of China.

According to the agreement, part of the amount will go towards the purchase of Artemisinin-based anti-malaria drugs worth 2,000,000 (Two million Reniminbi Yuan), for donation to the Liberian Government.

China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Honorable Fu Ziying signed for his government, while Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Honorable Amara Konneh signed for the Liberian Government.

Liberia's Commitment to One-China Policy

Meanwhile, Vice President Boakai on Friday evening met with his Chinese counterpart, His Excellency Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in the political capital Beijing.

In a prepared statement he delivered during the meeting, Vice President Boakai said the Liberian government cherished the close ties subsisting between Liberia and the People's Republic of China, and re-emphasized Liberia's commitment to the One-China Policy.

"I wish to reiterate that my government is firmly committed to upholding the 'One China' Policy and we remain unwavering," Vice President Boakai emphasized.

He noted that since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Liberia and China in 2003, which was enacted into law by the 51st National Legislature, the Liberian government has made significant progress in ensuring that her relationship with China is cemented.

He said the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Liberia on February 1, 2007 marked a new era in Sino-Liberia relations, and not only removed the myth about Liberia, but opened the door to visits of other great leaders, adding, "This we will always cherish".

"Almost seven years in the re-establishment of formal ties, our two countries have cooperated in every field," noting further that the renewal of diplomatic relations between Liberia and China in 2003 has also strengthened the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, and that China's technical assistance to Liberia has increased.

Vice President Boakai said Liberia highly appreciates the capacity building and manpower development China has offered for Liberians, including the granting of scholarships to 100 Liberians to study at Chinese institutions.

"To date, China Union, a Chinese company is the largest investor in Liberia with an investment portfolio of about 2.6 billion United States Dollars.," Vice President Boakai said, adding, "We are gratified by the unbridled enthusiasm with which the People's Republic of China has at this critical time assisted Liberia".

He said Liberia was encouraging more Chinese businesses to take advantage of the excellent investment climate now prevailing in Liberia.

In response, the Vice President of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping underlined the strengthening of ties between Liberia and Mainland China since the resumption of diplomatic ties by the two countries in 2003.

He said since the holding of the 2008 Beijing Summit and signing of the China-Africa Partnership Agreement, Chinese assistance to Africa's development has increased tremendously.

He said China has provided human resource training opportunities for more than 10,000 Africans. Vice President Jinping said in the fourth quarter of this year, China will host a forum in Egypt to determine progress made in the implementation of Beijing Agreement, and raise China-Africa cooperation to new heights.

He commended the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf -led Government for the strides it has made in promoting peace and the commitment her government has shown in the promotion of peace and regional cooperation, and hoped Liberia would score even greater marks in national rejuvenation.

The Chinese Vice President thanked Liberia for supporting the 2010 Shanghai EXPO under the theme: "Better City, Better Life", and emphasized that China was ready to work with Liberia as she hosts the Expo.

"With your visit to this country at this time, I'm optimistic that China-Liberia relationship is bound to receive a boost," Vice President Jinping said.

The discussions with the Chinese Vice President were preceded by a meeting between Vice President Boakai and the leader of the Chinese Legislature, known as Chairman of the People's Congress, His Excellency WU Bandgguo, at the same venue, where similar sentiments were expressed.