The authorities of the Ministries of National Defense of Liberia and China respectively, on Monday, August 06, 2012 signed a gratis military aid agreement. Through this agreement, the amount of 25 million Yuan, in the tone of Five million United States dollars, the People’s Liberation Army of China will provide equipment and logistical support to the Engineering unit of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Zhao Jianhua, said in the history of China bilateral military-to-military relationship, it is the first time for such amount of grant to be given to a Country on the Continent of Africa for military support.
The Chinese Ambassador further stated that the grant to the Liberian Government demonstrates the Chinese Government’s commitment to transform Liberia and it citizens- making Liberia a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation. “The donation to the Armed Forces of Liberia will not be the end of our support, but the Chinese Government will continue to support the Liberian Government in the reconstruction process of Liberia,” Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said.
For his part, Liberia’s Defense Minister, Brownie J. Samukai, Jr., said the assistance is not a surprise to the Defense Authority because it was not the first in the Liberian history for the Chinese Government to make such a donation to the Liberian Government. The Defense boss said the Chinese Government, over the years, has been given assistance to the Liberian Government in terms of health, education, military trainings, and scholarships.
Minister Samukai expressed gratitude for the gesture to the Chinese Government and promised the Chinese delegation that the Government of Liberia will make use of the equipment and the materials provided the Armed Forces of Liberia by the Chinese Government.
Asian Defence News
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