CHINA / Liberia |
China-Liberia bilateral relationsUpdated: 2007-01-26 09:58 1. Political Relations The People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Liberia on February 17, 1977. On October 9, 1989, the Liberian Doe Government signed "The Joint Communique on the Reestablishment of Diplomatic Relations" with Taiwan authority. On October 10 of the same year, the Chinese Government announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Liberia. On August 10, 1993, the diplomatic relations between China and Liberia were resumed. On September 5, 1997, the Liberian Taylor Government declared to recognize "two Chinas". On September 9, China again suspended diplomatic relations with Liberia. During the period when the two countries had diplomatic relations, Vice Premier Tian Jiyun visited Liberia in December 1984. Major visits paid by Liberian leaders to China included President William R. Tolbert (June 1978), President Samuel Kanyon Doe (May 1982), Foreign Minister Bernard Blamo (November 1986), Mr. Samuel Saye Dokkie, First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional Parliament (October 1995) and Mr. Alhagi Kromah, Vice Chairman of the State Council (December 1996). 2. Trade Relations and Economic and Technical Cooperation During the period when the two countries had diplomatic relations, China, with its aid to Liberia, helped Liberia build some complete projects, such as the Barreke Sugar Mill, Kpatawee rice project, multi-purpose sports stadium and its annex, wasteland reclamation, hospital renovation, and the office building of the Health Ministry, etc. In 1981, Chinese companies began to enter the Liberian labor market. The trade volume between the two countries in 2001 was US$ 141.51 million. China's export volume totaled US $112.72 million and import US$ 28.787 million. 3. Exchanges and Cooperation on Culture, Science, Technology, Education, Military Affairs The Governments of China and Liberia signed a cultural agreement. Cultural delegates from both sides exchanged visits. From 1977 to 1989, China provided scholarships to Liberian students every year until the suspension of the diplomatic relations. After the diplomatic relations resumed in 1993, China continued to accept Liberian students. The two Governments once signed a protocol on sending Chinese medical team to Liberia. From July 1984 to October 1989, China had altogether sent 3 medical teams to Liberia with the accumulative total of medical personnel reaching 42. 4. Important Agreements and Documents On February 17, 1977, the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Liberia signed the Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. On August 10, 1993, the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Liberia signed the Communiqué on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations. (From the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China) |
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