17/07/2025
Remarks at the “2025 Liberia Investment Conference” by the Chinese Ambassador accredited to Liberia
H E. Ambassador Yin Chengwu
July 16, 2025
"H. E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., the President of the Republic of Liberia;
Hon. Jeff B. Blibo, Chairman and CEO of the Liberia National Investment Commission;
Hon. MacDella Cooper, Senior Presidential Advisor;
Distinguished Delegates, Business Leaders, Esteemed Investors;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good morning.
It is a great honor to speak at this “2025 Liberia Investment Conference”. I would extend warmest congratulations on the inauguration of the Conference.
Liberia is a vibrant land brimming with boundless opportunities. Under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's leadership, Liberia has ushered in a new era characterized by political and social stability, sustained economic growth, and continuous social advancement. The improving public security environment, abundant natural resources, youthful and dynamic demographic profile, ambitious industrial policies, and increasingly open market in Liberia present tremendous potential and promising opportunities for investors worldwide.
Please allow me to share two observations:
First, investment requires openness and cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. At this moment, we’re witnessing a troubling global trend: the persistent rise of unilateralism and protectionism, the growing politicization of economic issues, and the artificial fragmentation of global markets. Particularly alarming is some country's tariff offensives against the world. Such unilateral actions severely undermine the international economic and trade order, disproportionately impact Africa's economic development, and put African nations' resolve to attract investment and build open economies at test.
Open cooperation represents the right path forward; mutual benefit and win-win outcomes reflect our shared aspiration. China remains committed to creating new opportunities for the world through the achievements of Chinese modernization, and to providing fresh momentum for Global South partners – including Liberia – through its vast market.
On June 11, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation ( FOCAC ) convened in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. At the conference, China pledged its willingness to expand the zero tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China. For the least developed countries in Africa, which already enjoyed the zero-traiff treatment, including Liberia, China will roll out measures on market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and technical training, and expand the promotion of quality products. China is willing to deepen the implementation of the “Ten Partnership Actions” with the African side, especially to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as green industry, e-commerce and payment, AI and technology, and to deepen cooperation in the fields of security, finance and the rule of law, so as to push forward the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. The implementation of these initiatives will undoubtedly add strong impetus to the international community's efforts to increase investment in Africa.
Second, investment demands trustworthy partnerships. At the 2024 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, President Xi Jinping and President Boakai elevated our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. Under their strategic guidance, our bilateral mutual trust has deepened, yielding substantive outcomes across the board.
China stands as one of Liberia's pivotal trade partners and key sources of foreign investment, with bilateral trade maintaining steady growth and multiple investment progressing steadily. According to China Customs statistics, Liberia’s exports to China increased by 27.3% in 2024. According to incomplete statistics, Chinese enterprises have invested more than USD 1 billion in Liberia, establishing China as a major investment source. With the implementation of zero-tariff policies and bilateral trade facilitation measures, more Liberian products will enter the Chinese market, creating favorable conditions for Liberia to attract investment, create jobs, upgrade manufacturing, and extend industrial value chains. The Chinese government encourages Chinese companies to invest in Liberia. I am confident that more and more Chinese investors would come and explore opportunities.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Looking ahead, the prospects for deepening China-Liberia investment cooperation remain vast, with significant potential for collaboration in industrial and supply chain cooperation and integration. To further advance our bilateral investment partnership, May I propose the following:
Firstly, Enhancing Strategic Synergy. Actively promote the alignment between China's modernization drive and Liberia's ARREST agenda. With the deepening implementation of the China-Africa Partnership for Common Development Framework, I am confident our two nations will identify more converging interests and deliver additional flagship cooperation projects.
Secondly, Optimizing the Business environment. We encourage the Liberian government to maintain an open, equitable, transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for all investors. China is ready to sign and implement bilateral investment promotion and facilitation agreements with Liberia.
Thirdly, Pioneering Emerging Sectors. While consolidating traditional cooperation, we should vigorously expand investment in green economy, such as renewable energy & environmental technologies; also in the area of digital transformation, including AI, e-commerce, smart cities, tech innovation & smart agri-mining, to cultivate new growth engines.
Fourthly, Strengthening Institutional Frameworks. Fully leverage existing bilateral economic mechanisms to facilitate real-time information exchange, address operational challenges, and provide targeted corporate guidance.
Fifthly, Fostering People-to-People Bonds. Investment thrives on mutual understanding. We advocate enhanced exchanges between business communities, think tanks, and media organizations, to solidify public support for cooperation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Chinese Embassy in Liberia would serve as a bridge and catalyst for our investment partnership. We are committed to maintaining close collaboration with Liberian stakeholders, providing end-to-end support for Chinese investors, elevating China-Liberia cooperation to yield transformative outcomes.
Wish the Conference a great success, and may our strategic partnership yield fruitful results.
Thank you."
Chinese Embassy in Liberia
Executive Mansion-Liberia
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia
The Liberian Senate
The Honourable House of Representatives Republic of Liberia
University of Liberia Radio, Lux FM 106.5
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