Premier Wen Jiabao met with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Wen said that since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties in 2003, they had enhanced mutual trust and trade volume had grown every year.

 

China has sent four medical teams to Liberia and provided scholarships to about 60 Liberian students.

 

Stable and healthy diplomatic ties are in the interests of both countries, Wen said.

 

He said China has sent about 600 peace-keeping personnel to Liberia and will continue support Liberia's peaceful reconstruction. The government encouraged Chinese companies to do business with Liberia.

 

The Chinese government is ready to offer advanced agricultural technology to help Liberia feed itself as soon as possible, Wen said.

 

Johnson-Sirleaf said the two countries have established strong relations with mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields.

 

Liberia has abundant resources and she hoped more Chinese companies will go to Liberia to do business.

 

Johnson-Sirleaf arrived in Beijing last Saturday evening, the first of African leaders to arrive for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on November 4 and 5.

 

The Liberian president will also pay a state visit to China on the sidelines of the summit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2006)