Monrovia- Liberia, Friday, August 16, 2024 – Liberian President Joseph Boakai has declared that the West African Nation is on an irreversible path of development with China by its side.
The bold statement by President Boakai drew huge applauds from the crowd, gathered at a colorful ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a modern state-of-the-art broadcast complex, at the Liberia Broadcasting System in Monrovia on Friday, August 16, 2024.
The move is part of China’s long-term support to the National Broadcast Corporation, which has also seen full refurbishment of existing facilities.
It is a hugely significant project that looks set to transform the broadcast landscape in Liberia and finally complete the Country’s digital migration in the field of radio and television broadcasting.
Feeling positive about what the facility and other China sponsored projects will have on Liberia’s infrastructure outlook, President Boakai thanked his Chinese Counterpart, Xi Jinping for his government’s continuous unconditional assistance to the government and people of Liberia over the years. The Liberian leader went a step further by charging the audience to ‘go and tell it on the mountain that Liberia is on the move and it is not going to stop. ‘We are together building this country’ he declared, to a rousing applause from the audience. The Liberian leader is hoping that the two countries can align their development plans, so as to tap into China’s Modernization pledge and the concept of Building a community with a shared future for mankind.
H.E. Pres. Boakai, Ambassador Yin and other officials at the groundbreaking
This honest acknowledgment and bold declaration of commitment to strengthen relations with Beijing, further adds to current positivity brewing among Liberians about the dividends cementing ties with China would accrue for a country that has suffered underdevelopment despite its 200 years of association with the United States.
It also serves as a stack reminder to the country’s so-called traditional allies that the friendship with the Peoples Republic of China is irreversible and can only grow from strength to strength.
Chinese Ambassador, Yin Chengwu’s arrival coincides with the ushering in of a new administration in Liberia in January, but that did not stop him from getting off to a flying start. Ambassador Yin was the first foreign Diplomat to meet the President after he was declared winner, reigniting ties and outlining development priorities. He has since described the LBS project as a key driver in deepening China-Liberia friendship and cooperation, stating that as a good partner and friend, China places high importance on its friendly ties with Liberia.
Current look of the LBS
At the moment, China is advancing Chinese modernization by further deepening reform comprehensively, and the Liberian government is tapping into it by aligning with their own development Agenda known as ARREST agenda. Both sides are now hoping to work together to advance modernization, and lay a solid foundation for building a high-level China-Liberia community with a shared future.
Future look of LBS
Popular Liberian politician Eugene Lamine Fahngon, who now heads the Liberia Broadcasting System, believes the intervention by China will allow LBS to take full control of the broadcast industry and position the institution to live up to its billing as the nation’s premier Broadcaster.
Fahngon, like many others here, wondered why China does not take much credit for its massive contribution to Liberia’s development, given that in the last ‘50 years’, the most modern facilities and infrastructure development in Liberia were done by the government of the Peoples Republic of China. He has since challenged anyone to a debate to prove him wrong.
There are excitements among Liberians about this latest intervention by China. Staff of the state broadcaster are now highly optimistic about what the future holds especially coming on the back of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Media Group for partnership and media exchange. When completed, the facility will breathe an air of relief at the Liberia Broadcasting System and set it apart from other national broadcasters in the West African sub-region.
China Aid is at the center of this life-changing project
The project will have a massive impact on Liberia’s population of 5.2 million people, improving access to information for the citizenry. This is because, as part of the expansion, the LBS Management has been tasked by the President to ensure that relay Television Stations are built across the 15 Counties, for the first time in the Country’s history. All along, the National Television has only been broadcasting in Monrovia and surrounding areas. Thanks to China’s support, Liberians in the last mile villages will soon start following national development on TV from the comfort of their village homes.
In the words of President Joseph Boakai, Liberia’s collaboration with China is a powerful demonstration of the strength of the country’s international partnerships and shared commitment to mutual growth and prosperity. This partnership is a clear example of how global cooperation can support national development goals and create lasting positive impact.
With momentum building on such a promising bilateral relationship between Liberia and China, the dividends look set to come faster and ticker in the months and years ahead.
