By Mark N. Mengonfia- mmenginfia@gmail.com
MONROVIA-Since the visit of the Speaker of the United States’ House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi to the Taiwan region, said visitation has received mixed-reactions with the most recent coming from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China accredited near Liberia.
Chinese Embassy responded harshly few days as well after the visit.
At a meeting with some members of the Liberian Media at its Embassy in Oldest Congo Town, Ambassador Ren Yisheng pointed accusing fingers at United States of America (USA) stating that the USA has constantly interfered with other countries’ internal affairs, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the Chinese Ambassador, the USA has repeatedly violated the three joint communiques issued by the United States and China in 1972, 1979, and 1982 continue to serve as the foundation for U.S.-China relations.
The two sides stated that: progress toward the normalization of relations between China and the United States is in the interests of all countries; both wish to reduce the danger of international conflict; neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony; and neither is prepared to negotiate on behalf of any third party or to enter into agreements or understandings with the other directed at other states.
Both sides back then had the view that it would be against the interests of the peoples of the world for any major country to divide up the world into spheres of interest.
The above stated Communique according to the Chinese has violated by the Americans.
According to Ambassador Yisheng, his President, Xi Jinping has said, the Taiwan question and issues relating to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, etc. are China’s internal affairs and concern China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said, “Other countries should respect China’s core interests and act prudently.”
The Chinese Ambassador said, “On Taiwan question, Chinese President Xi Jinping has on multiple occasions expounded China’s stance on the Taiwan question, reaffirming the commitment to resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification.”
The Chinese maintained that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the PRC is the sole legal government representing China.
According to him, they have patience and will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts with Taiwan.
In a strong tone, the Chinese Ambassador said, “That should the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence” provoke us, force our hands or even cross the red line, we will be compelled to take resolute measures.”
A few days ago, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi visited China’s Taiwan region.
According to the Chinese Ambassador, her visit was in disregard of China’s strong opposition and serious representations stating that, “This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Chinese have said the visit gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence”.
He indicated that China’s firm countermeasures are completely legitimate and justified adding, “All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the U.S. side and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.”
Speaking additionally to issues relating to Xinjiang, he said for a period of time, some Western countries have “crazily”fabricated lies of the century on Xinjiang-related issues, slandering and attacking China with no bottom line.
He said during the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council in June of this year, the West once again gathered some countries to attack China over Xinjiang and other “so-called human rights issues.”
He stated that at the same HRC session, around 100 countries voiced their support to China on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet through joint or individual statements.
He indicated that the “so-called Xinjiang issue” is entirely a strategic conspiracy of the West to disrupt China from the inside. Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, but about fighting violence, terrorism and separatism.
Speaking additionally, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia said, there has been no violent act of terrorism in Xinjiang for five consecutive years and more.
He said the safety and security of people of all ethnic groups have been effectively protected adding that Xinjiang is enjoying security, social stability and good development.
“In recent years, over 2,000 people from more than 100 countries, including experts, scholars, journalists, diplomats and religious figures, have visited Xinjiang, witnessing the social security and stability of Xinjiang, and the people living and working in peace and contentment”, he said. (See below Full Text of Amb.’s Speech)
Good morning! Welcome to this meeting. To begin with, I wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to all of you for your strong support and great contribution to promoting China-Liberia brotherly friendship and win-win cooperation.
Today, I would like to first update you on some new developments and achievements about China’s economic and social development, Taiwan question and issues related with Xinjiang, Hong Kong and etc., and China-Africa and China-Liberia friendly.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The first half of this year has witnessed quite some new developments in China. China successfully hosted the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March respectively. Beijing has thus become the first and sole city in the world to host both summer and winter Olympic Games.
In June, the 14th BRICS Summit was held in Beijing. The issue of BRICS membership expansion has drawn wide attention of the international community.
During the first half of the year, due to the resurgences of pandemics and other factors, China’s GDP increased by 2.5%, slightly below the expected growth rate. With the pandemic well prevented and controlled, China’s resilience in economy and a series of policies to boost economic development, China will try its best to realize a growth rate of around 5% for the whole year. China’s economic aggregate is expected to reach a new height of around 20 trillion US dollars this year.
Later this year, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be convened in Beijing. This will be an important milestone for both the CPC and the Chinese people as we have successfully realized our first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and are marching towards the second centenary goal of building China into a prosperous, democratic, culturally civilized, harmonious and beautiful socialist country by the middle of this century when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 2049.
From Nov. 5 through 10, the 5th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai. Africa-featured products and handicrafts have always been popular among Chinese consumers. The Chinese government has offered two free standard booths to Liberian participating enterprises. We encourage Liberian enterprises to actively participate in the Expo.
China continues to uphold multilateralism by making unswerving efforts to build a community of shared future for mankind. After putting forward the Global Development Initiative at the General Debate of the 76th UN General Assembly last year, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative at the Boao Forum for Asia 2022 Session to promote the sustainable development through sustainable security.
China has also actively carried out international cooperation especially with African countries in coping with COVID-19 pandemic and has dispatched medical expert teams, and provided large amount of supplies such as surgical face masks, PPEs, ventilators, oxygen concentrators, infrared thermometers and etc.
Ladies and gentlemen, now I would like to touch upon the Taiwan question and issues relating to Xinjiang, Hong Kong etc.
As President Xi Jinping has said, the Taiwan question and issues relating to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, etc. are China’s internal affairs and concern China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Other countries should respect China’s core interests and act prudently.
On Taiwan question, Chinese President Xi Jinping has on multiple occasions expounded China’s stance on the Taiwan question, reaffirming the commitment to resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification. As he has pointed out that, the true status quo of the Taiwan question and what lies at the heart of one-China, are as follows: there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the PRC is the sole legal government representing China. We have patience and will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts. That said, should the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence” provoke us, force our hands or even cross the red line, we will be compelled to take resolute measures.
A few days ago, in disregard of China’s strong opposition and serious representations, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China’s Taiwan region.
This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence”. China’s firm countermeasures are completely legitimate and justified. All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the U.S. side and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.
On Xinjiang related issues. For a period of time, some Western countries have crazily fabricated lies of the century on Xinjiang-related issues, slandering and attacking China with no bottom line. Last June, at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the West once again gathered some countries to attack China over Xinjiang and other so-called human rights issues. Meanwhile, at the same HRC session, around 100 countries voiced their support to China on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet through joint or individual statements.
The so-called Xinjiang issue is entirely a strategic conspiracy of the West to disrupt China from the inside. Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, but about fighting violence, terrorism and separatism. There has been no violent act of terrorism in Xinjiang for five consecutive years and more. The safety and security of people of all ethnic groups have been effectively protected. Today Xinjiang is enjoying security, social stability and good development.
In recent years, over 2,000 people from more than 100 countries, including experts, scholars, journalists, diplomats and religious figures, have visited Xinjiang, witnessing the social security and stability of Xinjiang, and the people living and working in peace and contentment.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On China-Africa cooperation, I wish to stress again that the biggest feature of China-Africa cooperation is mutual benefit and common development.
In carrying out cooperation with Africa, China has upheld the principles of sincerity, pragmatism, amity and good faith and the principles of pursuing the greater good and shared interests and China-Africa cooperation has become a model for South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa.
According to a white paper released by China’s State Council Information Office in November last year, China helped African countries build more than 13,000 kilometers of roads and railways and more than 80 large power facilities in the 20 years to 2020.
It also funded over 130 medical facilities, 45 sports venues and over 170 schools and built a series of flagship projects including the African Union Conference Center in Addis Ababa.
In fact, the so-called debt-trap theory has been rejected by researchers around the world, and they called it a convenient political narrative that is being used by Western politicians in a bid to damage China’s relationship with its development partners.
According to research released last month by the Debt Justice group in the United Kingdom, African governments owe three times more debt to Western banks, asset managers and oil traders than they do to China. The research indicated that just 12 percent of African governments’ external debt is owed to Chinese lenders compared with 35 percent owed to Western private lenders. Talk of the so-called Chinese debt trap for African countries is pure disinformation, and not a single developing country has suffered because of Chinese loans.
On China-Liberia friendly cooperation, I have listed in several articles published by Liberian media about the completed China-aid projects in recent years such as the Ministerial Complex, the Annexes to the Capitol Building, 50 bore wells for rural areas and the RIA through concessional loans.
I would like to update that the two overpass bridges on Tubman Boulevard, the National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Lab, the LBS expansion project, and the Laser Fingerprint Examination Lab are all in the tendering and procurement phases. The Road and Bridge near Sinkor Area is making steady progress.
On investment, China Union plans to resume its work in Bong County before the end of the year. Bao Chico has just obtained a mining permit and is preparing to start mining operations in Gbarpolu County in the near future.
On people-to-people exchanges, as you are aware of, China provides around 50 full government scholarships and around 200 short- and long-term training opportunities, some of which are also combined with master’s and PhD degree scholarships to Liberian students and trainees.
For the 2021-2022 training year, so far 16 terms of training for 155 persons and 11 training slots of scholarships have been implemented respectively. Another 85 scholarship applicants for master’s and PhD degrees have been recommended with 79 enrolled.
We are working with the First Lady’s Clar Hope Foundation and the Jewel Starfish Foundation established by the Vice President and will donate sanitary pads to young women and girls.
In recent years, we have donated 2,500 tons of rice to Liberia every year. Upon completion of two food- and nutrition-aid projects to Liberian students, pregnant women and new born babies, we are now working with the Ministry of Education to donate another 1,000 bags of 25kg per bag rice together with some milk powder and vegetable oil. We also plan to dona a batch of desks and chairs to Liberian schools.
The 15th batch of China Medical Team has arrived in Liberia and will start to work in JFK Medical Center in mid-August after quarantine.
We have donated more than 300 solar power lights and poles to Liberian communities and about 75 have been installed on the bridge and along the stree linking two districts of Montserrado and Bomi counties and the bridge has since become much safer.
We have helped Booker Washington Institute to establish cooperation with Shandong Vocational and Technical College. We are working with Bomi Community College to enhance its development.
We are working with JFD Hospital in Tapeta, Nimba County to upgrade its infrastructure.
We have been helping Star Foundation School’s renovation near Monrovia along the Japan Freeway and both sides have agreed to add a new name “China-Liberia Friendship School” to the school.
We will help Liberia National Wheelchair Basketball Federation to construct a wheelchair basketball court near SKD Sports Complex in Monrovia.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China-Africa and China-Liberia are good friends and brothers. Based on the norms and principles of respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states as enshrined in the UN Charter, China is ready to continue to make unremitting efforts to strengthen China-Africa and China-Liberia friendly and pragmatic cooperation and build a community of shared future for our peoples.
Thank you. Now I would like to answer your questions.
Facts and figures today, the outcomes of China-Africa cooperation are all over the African continent. The roads, railways, airports, ports, high-rise buildings, stadiums and other structures that China helped build can be seen everywhere. According to preliminary statistics, between 2000 and 2020, China helped African countries build more than 13,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, about 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports and more than 80 large-scale power facilities, funded more than 130 medical facilities, 45 sports venues and more than 170 schools, trained more than 160,000 professionals across various fields and created more than 4.5 million jobs for Africa. In the post-epidemic era, China will jointly implement the “Nine Programs” of the FOCAC with African countries, including China’s implementation of 80 key aid projects; expanding the scope of zero-tariff treatment products exported to China by African least developed countries, and striving to achieve a total import value of 300 billion US dollars from Africa in the next three years; establishing a “China-Africa Private Investment Promotion Platform” to promote Chinese enterprises’ total investment in Africa of not less than 10 billion US dollars in the next three years; supporting the construction of the African Continental Free Trade Area, etc. These tangible measures are in line with the most urgent development needs of African countries, and will certainly give new impetus to Africa’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.