President Sirleaf receives Chinese delegation

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has received a delegation from the People’s Republic of China headed by the Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Public Security Mr. Duan Daqi. “We are pleased by your visit to Liberia” President Sirleaf told the Chinese delegation, indicating the visit here is timely.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf welcomed the Chinese delegation to Liberia and thanked the People’s Republic of China through them for China’s many supports to Liberia and its rebuilding process.

The delegation is in Liberia to help strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and to assist in the maintenance of peace and security. “We are pleased with your visit to Liberia and believe that it is very timely” President Sirleaf told the Chinese delegation. 

The Liberian leader lauded the long outstanding relations between Liberia and the People’s Republic of China and acknowledged the many contributions made, particularly to the Liberia National Police. She also called on the Chinese to invest more in the Police as it takes over security from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

She reflected on some of the challenges being faced by the LNP in the discharge of its duties. President Sirleaf particularly thanked and lauded the delegation for the plan to provide specialized training for the police in fighting crimes and terrorism and recognized the role of the current Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Zhang Yue for his leadership and outstanding role in Liberia’s recovery process. 

Also speaking, Mr. Dagi expressed confidence in the Liberian security, especially the Liberia National Police’s ability to maintain security and law and order during the Post-UNMIL era, but stressed the need for more training and capacity-building.

He revealed plans to send a team of Chinese trainers to train a unit of the Liberia National Police in anti-terrorism and also extended invitation for two senior police officers to participate in a peacekeeping training program to take place in China in August. Mr. Duan Daqi also spoke of plans to train 20 Senior LNP officers at a Chinese Police Academy in November, as part of its support to the capacity building initiative of the Liberia National Police. 

“We are prepared to assist in building the capacity of the Liberia National Police, in the aftermath of the drawn down of the United Nations Mission in Liberia to include the supply of uniforms and other equipment”, he emphasized.

Also speaking, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Col. C. Clarence Massaquoi thanked Mr. Duan Daqi and delegation for the visit to Liberia. “I am grateful for your presence earlier today on at our Headquarters and for all the support you have given the police in the wake of the drawdown of the UN Mission. We however need every necessary support that we can get to enable the police to perform effectively”, the Inspector General appealed. Press release