Editor's note:
The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Under this particular cooperation framework, China and African countries are expected to deepen exchanges in multiple major areas. In light of this special occasion, GDToday is conducting exclusive interviews with African delegates, shedding light on China-Africa relations, now and in the future.
David S. Menjor, a journalist at the Daily Observer Newspaper in Monrovia, spoke to GDToday in a recent interview, stating that he believes Liberia will be more actively engaged with China through FOCAC 2024. He hopes that new solutions will be delivered to tackle development deficits in Africa.
"I saw China is a nation that genuinely emphasizes the well-being of its people." Menjor said during a recent interview with GDToday. As a visiting member of a program launched by China International Press Communication Center in March, Menjor set his foot on China for the first time, forming his own understanding of China's "quality development".
"I visited Jiangsu, Shenzhen and Shanxi, and the construction of these areas are just mind blowing," Menjor commented that the way that China modernizes itself is in line with its own realities, "and every strategic plan is rolled out according to the needs of its people."
China-assisted projects has made tremendous impact in the Liberian communities
Since China and Liberia resumed diplomatic ties in 1993, the two nations have bred close friendship over the past decades. When explained why the Liberian people cherish such friendship with China, Menjor gladly shared that China has joined force with Liberia in its development efforts. "I mean with the support of Chinese expertise in technologies, we got to have better infrastructure and connectivity, and that just transcends the well-being of people in Liberia." said Menjor.
"The Chinese government has aided Liberia by funding and implementing the construction of the Barreke Sugar Mill, the SKD Sports Complex and its renovation project, the renovation project of Liberia Broadcasting System, the Tappita hospital." he detailed.
From July 2018 and July 2019, the China-aided two annexes to the Liberian Capitol Building and the Ministerial Complex were completed respectively. The modern Complex was the second largest building in Africa at that time, second only to the African Union Headquarters building. Former President George Weah attended the handover and opening ceremony of the Complex, which has become the new landmark of Monrovia.
Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2019 shows the China-aided Ministerial Complex project in Monrovia, capital of Liberia. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
This April, the Governments of Liberia and China, through the Liberia Broadcasting System, have signed a US$4million project agreement to expand and refurbish the Liberia Broadcasting System. It is noted that in order to have a unique pivotal way to transform information, it is prudent to make and enable the state-owned broadcast vibrant and proactive in dissemination of information.
When it comes to health, a pressing issue that faces Liberia and many other African states in a long time, Menjor noted that his country had a very fragile health care system. “With the contribution from many of our partners, particularly China, over times we have been able to combat many health crises, during the COVID pandemic and even the outbreak of Ebola.” Menjor said.
He added that China has sent medical teams to Liberia over the past 40 years, and when the Chinese team left, the facilities and trained skills still have strong impact on the local community.
With FOCAC, China has the capacity to deliver solutions to development deficits in Africa
Since the formal establishment of FOCAC in 2000, practical cooperation between China and African countries under the framework of FOCAC has yielded fruitful results.
In the view of Menjor, FOCAC, China's own approach to the process of building mutual collaboration with African countries, differ from any other model seen in geopolitics. "FOCAC is a platform, in which demands are not simply made by China, but instead, China is deeply involved in having consultative engagements with various partners."
He spoke on the fact that the Chinese government is not determining what kind of project should be executed in a country, but the country makes decision of what it wants, then gets engaged with China, before the Chinese government delivers on the basis of the request of the country, which works as a path towards win-win results.
"My country has been dependent for over 177 years and still today we don't have much to boast off." Menjor said that there's a lot of development deficit in many areas in the continent. As Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai left for the FOCAC in Beijing, Menjor hopes that China comes up with more solutions to development deficits in Africa and he believes China has the capacity to do so.
According to Menjor, mobility still remains a very serious challenge in Liberia. "There are still many roads to be paved, especially for those living in the hinterland." he said, "Electricity supplies are still not well ensured in some parts of our countries."
He hopes to see that, after talks between the two nations at the FOCAC, Liberia will be more actively engaged with China and the two sides would stand ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation so as to benefit peoples of the two countries.
Reporter | Jersey Kwok
Poster designer | Mia Lai
Editor | Steven, Will, James
