The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted May 25, 2004

The Chinese Government through its ambassador accredited to Liberia, Lin Songtian has warned Liberian government and people about Taiwan’s “Dollar Diplomacy.” Amb. Songtian foresees the Taiwanese authorities supporting Liberian political parties financially in the forthcoming 2005 general and presidential elections.

The Chinese diplomat made the statement over the weekend when he spoke on the topic, “Acknowledge Clearly the Situation, Work Hard Together, Comprehensively Develop the Friendly Cooperative Relations Between China and Liberia”, at a seminar on International Affairs held at the Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amb. Songtian alleged, “in recent few years, in order to achieve its aims of splitting China and ‘independence of Taiwan’, the Taiwanese authorities made use of some countries’ turmoil in political situation and temporary difficulties in economy, through ‘Dollar Diplomacy’ and other means secretly or openly; did secret business with some politicians especially presidential candidates of some countries by providing campaign funds, expecting to establish or maintain so called ‘diplomatic relations’ when they come into power.”

“The Taiwan authorities never stop their “splittist” activities aimed at creating ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China on Taiwan’ in the international arena. Therefore, both China and Liberia are required to be on alert on the true motives of Taiwan authorities,” the outspoken Chinese ambassador iterated.

According to Amb. Sogtian, Taiwan authorities had managed many years in Liberia and it is known that Taiwan still has some underground information channels and brokers even now.

“They will make use of next year’s general election in Liberia, by providing campaign funds and personal benefits through so called ‘Dollar Diplomacy’, to support those who need campaign money in Liberia to set new obstacles and make new troubles in the development of Sino-Liberia relations,” he alleged.

He also said that some Liberian people do not understand the One-China policy comprehensively, for the sake of personal interests or blinded by Taiwan’s authorities.

Amb. Songtian reminded Liberians that “the purpose of foreign policy-making of a responsible country should be to protect the fundamental interest of her nation and people, instead of seeking personal interests.”

“We strongly hold that the bilateral relations between the two countries should be relations between country and country and government, people and people, not the personal relations among few national leaders,” noting, “ the country and government should be by the people, of the people and for the people.”

Amb. Songtian who maintained that the Liberian people did not benefit from the so called “diplomatic relations with Taiwan”, said officials of government did not put the fundamental interests of their people on their top priority, instead of sacrificing the interest of their nation and people for their own self-interest.

“ History has told us that whoever forgets the people, he will be forgotten by the people,” and added the old Chinese saying, “Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future.”

“I firmly believe that, with the joint efforts of our both sides, the prospects of the friendly cooperative relations on various fields between China and Liberia would be splendid and broad, as long as both of our two sides adhere to proceeding from the consideration of fundamental interests of both nations and people, pursuing advantages and avoid disadvantages, strictly abiding by the purposes and principles of the joint communiqué between the Republic of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China on the resumption of their diplomatic relations and memorandum of understanding between the government of the Republic of Liberia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the resumption of diplomatic relations signed by the two governments on October 11, 2003,” he noted.

He said this is necessary because China and Liberia have no fundamental conflict but common interests.

According to him, because Liberia’s government adheres firmly to its commitment to the One-China Policy; China actively participates in and assist the peace process and national reconstruction of Liberia; both Chinese and Liberian governments attach great importance to developing a new long-term stable partnership of equality, mutual benefit and all-round cooperation.

He observed that the Sino-Liberian relations was hurt several times, because the exchanges and mutual understanding between the two peoples are far from enough, therefore the scope and in-depth of cooperation need to be developed further more.

“To attract Chinese enterprises to invest in Liberia, a long-term stable friendly relations between our two countries is definitely needed,” he said.

Amb. Songtian said China is willing to actively participate and assist the Liberian government and people achieve their goal of peace and national reconstruction at an early date, but observed that the peace process is a complicated systemic program, owing to undeveloped economy and poverty of the people.

“To achieve peace in Liberia, the problem of economic development must be well solved. At the same time, a stable political situation and social environment is a prerequisite for the economic development. Otherwise, there will be no lasting peace at all,” he pointed out.

According to him, this requires the joint efforts of all Liberians including political parties and civil organizations.