Unity Party Chairman wants Liberians to take bilateral relations with China seriously

Luther Tarpeh, chairman of Liberia’s ruling Unity Party, called on Liberians to take diplomatic relations and cooperation with the People’s Republic of China very seriously and not to take it for granted. “Let’s not take our relationship with China for granted.
“Our friendly relationship with China is very strategic and there are many concrete Chinese projects in Liberia, so let’s respect what China wants to do,” Tarpeh said.
The Unity Party chairman was speaking at a one-day seminar entitled “Deepening Cooperation, Working Together for Development” hosted by the People’s Republic of China through its embassy near Monrovia on Friday, November 8, 2024. Tarpeh said Liberian-Chinese relations continue to produce positive results, citing Chinese-aided infrastructure projects in Liberia.
According to him, Liberia should maintain bilateral relations with the country that is the People’s Republic of China. “If there is one country with which Liberia should maintain relations, it is the People’s Republic of China.”
Speaker Tarpeh stressed at the occasion that “China has done for Liberia what other countries have not been able to do.” We must seek assistance from China to fight poverty and lift Liberians out of poverty.
“It is time to reassess our friendship and learn from China how to lift our people out of poverty. Let’s not China give us fish, instead, let them teach us how to fish and let us think about how to improve the welfare of our people,” Tarpeh stressed.
He further praised President Xi Jinping’s extraordinary visionary leadership, saying that Xi’s visionary, innovative, and transformative leadership has made great contributions to China’s modernization and opening up to the world.
Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, YIN Chengwu, previously said that the People’s Republic of China is ready to support Liberia’s development.
Ambassador YIN announced that China will begin construction of two overpass bridges in the coming months, which are important Chinese projects for the Liberian people.
YIN informed the gathering that China was the first country in the world to send emergency aid to Liberia during the deadly Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics.
He said China supports Liberia’s right to choose its development path, adding that Liberia has received “dozens” of scholarships through bilateral and multilateral cooperation from China.
China and Liberia have common interests, and President Xi and President Boakai agreed to develop the relationship into a strategic partnership at the FOCAC summit, which was held in Beijing in 2024, YIN stressed. “The dynamics of development are getting stronger. China’s modernization will create new opportunities for Sino-Liberian cooperation, and China is a reliable friend and partner,” Yin said.