Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Zhang Yue has disclosed that the 2016 Dry Season will see the implementation of most of the projects the Chinese government has promised Liberia.

Speaking at an occasion marking the observance of the 67th National Day of the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Zhang said upgrading of the Roberts International Airport Terminal, renovation of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex (SKD), erection of the ministerial complex and construction of annexes of the Capitol Building are among major projects to be implemented.

He said as a motto for China in its relation with Liberia and Africa at large, they believe in equal respect and a mutually beneficial foreign policy – which these major projects are based on.

In a statement of appreciation for the many benefits of bilateral relation between Liberia and China, Vice President Joseph Boakai acknowledged that China remains one of Liberia’s top trading partners, as well as her biggest foreign investor.

He said, “Against this background of the UNMIL drawdown, China helped Liberia promote its security sector capacity building through personnel and technical training as well as equipment donations. Last June, Chinese peacekeepers donated plenty of materials and equipment to Liberia as they accomplished their mission.”

At the request of the Liberian government, the Chinese Ambassador disclosed that another batch of police officers to help Liberia’s law enforcement agencies is expected in the country.

In his highlights of China’s contributions in adherence to protocols of the bilateral relation, Ambassador Zhang highlighted his government’s provision of between 24 to 50 scholarships to Liberian students each year.

“China trains more than 200 personnel in various fields and more than 300 Liberian students benefit from Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship and Chinese enterprises scholarships every year,” he said.

As evidenced by the erection of a major health facility in northeastern Liberia and its role during the outbreak of Ebola, the Ambassador recalled that China helped Liberia in building the public health system, with a plan to set up a clinical laboratory in Monrovia to upgrade the capacity of hospitals.

The bilateral relation under which China and Liberia share economic and social benefits is a policy principle that promises equality and mutual benefit to both countries. China-Africa relation has resulted into a periodic gathering of Chinese and African leaders under the Forum on

At a meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, last year, China announced ten major China-Africa cooperation plans for the next three years and pledged US$60 billion in financial support.

Conveying President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s and the government’s felicitation to the government and people of China on their National Day, Vice President Boakai acknowledged that “Liberia-China relation has seen a significant growth in trade, accounting for more than US$425 million, a 74 percent increase, in 2015.”

In addition to the many contributions China has made to Liberia’s infrastructural development, VP Boakai hailed China for her expressed commitment to stepping up partnership with African countries during the 6th FOCAC, stressing that they welcome outcomes of the Sherpa

Meeting of July 29, 2016, held in Beijing, to work out the implementation of modalities of the Johannesburg Declaration.

The Vice President also acknowledged the cultural exchanges China is promoting with Liberia, recalling Chinese cultural performances by the Zhejiang International Studies University Artistic Troupe in February this year.

With vigorous teaching of the Chinese language in Liberia, VP Boakai said Liberians are thrilled with performances by Liberian students of the Confucius Institute, as they are now able to converse and perform various tasks in Chinese.