Liberia, China Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Ties During High-Level Meeting
By Bill W. Cooper
Vice President, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, on June 12, 2025, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha City and focused on advancing strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Vice President Koung was accompanied by senior members of the Liberian delegation, including Commerce Minister, Magdalene Dagoseh and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for International Cooperation, Ibrahim Nyei.
Others forming part of the delegation were Liberia’s Ambassador to China, McKinley Thomas, Deputy Chief of Staff to VP Koung, Macdonald Metzger, and Minister Counselor at the Liberian Embassy in Beijing, J. Wesley Washington.
Minister Wang Yi, during the meeting extended warm greetings from President Xi Jinping to President Joseph Boakai and congratulated Liberia on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term.
He used the occasion to reaffirmed China’s willingness to enhance collaboration within multilateral frameworks, especially the United Nations, as well as expressed China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Liberia across key sectors, including: Infrastructure development, Energy and mining and Trade and investment facilitation.
Wang Yi also reiterated China’s appreciation for Liberia’s consistent support of the One China Policy and commended Liberia’s stance on non-interference and the protection of national sovereignty in global discourse.
Minister Wang Yi further reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development goals, emphasizing mutual trust, joint industrialization, and technical cooperation.
He highlighted China’s intention to foster a favorable environment for Liberian goods and services and to facilitate Liberia’s engagement with Chinese industries, including heavy machinery manufacturers and infrastructure technology providers.
In response, Vice President Jeremiah Koung conveyed gratitude to the Chinese government for its steadfast partnership with Liberia, and reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the One China Policy.
The VP also praised China’s support in various areas of national development, including: The 75-megawatt green energy project in Bomi County, Expansion of Roberts International Airport, Construction of the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, Development of the Robertsfield Highway and the ongoing overhead bridge near the Ministerial Complex.
He outlined Liberia’s priority areas for ongoing cooperation: Expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, Increased access to Chinese markets for Liberian exports, Acquisition of Bailey bridges and road construction equipment, Strengthening maritime safety and fisheries cooperation, Scholarships and vocational training for Liberian youth, Provision of medical and agricultural equipment, alongside knowledge transfer.
Meanwhile, both parties expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their dedication to deepening strategic cooperation under Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for inclusive development. Agreed Follow-Up Actions: Facilitate Liberia’s visit to Chinese industrial zones to inspect road and bridge construction equipment, Advance scholarship and educational partnership frameworks, strengthen cooperation between relevant ministries and agencies, explore bilateral trade agreements under China’s preferential tariff schemes, Monitor the implementation of infrastructure and energy sector agreements.