Several Liberian students benefiting from various Chinese government scholarships, including the China-Liberia bilateral scholarship, have successfully graduated and expressed their readiness to contribute to the reconstruction efforts of Liberia.
The graduation of these Liberian students has strengthened the commitment between China and Liberia, deepening their friendship, cooperation, and exchange in areas such as poverty reduction, health, and public welfare. In separate interviews, Du Xiaohui, the Director General of China-Africa Cooperation at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Barkri Nyei, Liberia’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, expressed their appreciation for the strategic diplomatic cooperation between China and Africa and their interest in further collaboration.
Over the weekend, these Liberian students graduated from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and several other public universities in China. At UIBE, Nathan S. Harris earned a Ph.D. in Finance, with an emphasis on Asset Allocation, while Jevon K. Kawala received a Ph.D. in International Relations. Additionally, Chelreo P. Saye-Geh, a recipient of the China-Liberia bilateral scholarship, graduated with a Master’s in International Relations, and Daniel Gman and Ansumana Dukuly both obtained Master’s degrees in Economics, focusing on International Finance and Investment, through separate Chinese government scholarships.
On behalf of the students benefiting from the China-Liberia bilateral scholarship, Chelreo P. Saye-Geh expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for its support, particularly in the area of education. He described the China-Liberia relationship as fruitful and strategic, praising China’s educational system as solid, research-intensive, and development-oriented.
“We are equipped and ready to contribute to Liberia’s nation-building. We want to thank the government and people of China for their consistent support. The China-Liberia relationship is strong and positive,” Saye-Geh stated. He also shared that during his time in China, he appreciated its culture, especially the food, language, and hospitality of its people. He noted that spending two years away from his family was challenging but was made easier by the support from the Chinese government and the university.
“The Liberian Embassy in Beijing has been very effective in coordinating student affairs. We are prepared to return to our country and contribute to nation-building,” he affirmed. Moreover, Du Xiaohui highlighted the long-standing friendship between China and Africa, which has grown stronger over time. He emphasized that the friendly ties between the two peoples serve as the foundation for the development of China-Africa relations, with ongoing people-to-people exchanges fueling this enduring friendship across generations.
He pointed out that to implement the important consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders, as well as the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, both sides will host a series of exchange activities themed “Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursuing a Shared Dream of Modernization.” This will coincide with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries in 2026.
These activities aim to promote mutual learning and strengthen bonds between the Chinese and African civilizations, solidifying public support for the China-Africa friendship. “In this process, China will adhere to the principles of sincerity, tangible results, amity, and good faith in its Africa policy, while exploring further cooperation in various fields to invigorate joint efforts to advance modernization. We aim to contribute to building a community of shared future for China and Africa in this new era,” he concluded. Quoting President Xi Jinping, Du Xiaohui noted that “The foundation and lifeline of China-Africa relations lie with the people.”
