By: Cooper K.Sangar Jr.
CHINA – Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, has called for deeper collaboration between China and Africa, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and economic development.
Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-Up Actions of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, held in Changsha City, Dr. Nyei underscored the need for a renewed partnership rooted in mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Highlighting Liberia’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at enhancing international trade and investment, Dr. Nyei emphasized that African economies are moving beyond dependence on raw material exports. He pointed to growth opportunities in services, manufacturing, and value-added production as critical drivers of the continent’s long-term development.
He expressed appreciation for China’s continued support to Liberia, citing the 100% tariff waiver on Liberian exports to China and China’s role as a key supplier of manufactured goods. Dr. Nyei reaffirmed China’s position as a major trading partner and stressed the importance of maintaining balanced and sustainable trade relations.
“The future of Africa and China is closely intertwined,” Dr. Nyei stated. “China understands that Africa is essential to sustaining its industrial growth, just as Africa needs China’s partnership to drive its own industrial transformation.”
Dr. Nyei also reiterated Liberia’s commitment to multilateralism and called for stronger solidarity between China and Africa in addressing global challenges, including climate change, cross-border crime, insecurity, and public health crises.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, endorsed by China and 53 African nations. The declaration calls for enhanced collaboration among developing countries, promotes shared modernization, and warns against unilateral actions that could undermine the global multilateral system.
