On March 4th 2016, Mr. Li Ruohong, President of China World Peace Foundation and Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation met Mme. Catherine Watson Khasu, Minister Counselor of Liberia and former Government Superintendent of Grand Cape Mount.

The meeting was held at Peace Garden Museum in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Mr. Li showed the precious exhibits to Mme. Khasu, who spoke highly of the abundance and fineness of the collections as well as Mr. Li’s contribution to world peace and the protection of national culture. She stressed that everyone should tap into the art and culture of their own nation. Liberia used to have a brilliant culture, which is now faced with crisis due to lack of preservation and promotion. She said with distress: “Only when a nation reflects upon its history can it expect a better future. A country who isn’t interested in its past will be lost in the human history of civilization.”

The minister counselor expressed her sincere love and gratitude to China by relating the recent history of her country. In the past century, what Liberia had was only a deserted airport left by the Americans, it was China who rebuilt a modern international one. It was also China who helped complete infrastructure, public buildings and schools by offering assistance and soft loans. When Liberia had to face the Ebola epidemic, Chinese emergency medical team arrived as the first and the Chinese government provided millions of dollars for emergency relieve. China has proved to be Liberians’ outstanding partner and faithful friend. Mme. Khasu also presented to Mr. Li the Liberian people’s suffering from colonialism and wars in the past and their life in poverty and sickness. She said, during her tenure as governor in Grand Cape Mount, she shared the misery her people have suffered, which could have been avoided if the country had taken more actions. Mr. Li Ruohong expressed his sympathy and provided suggestions on economic and cultural development of Liberia in line with UN sustainable development goals. Mr. Li and the Mme.Khasu also discussed about the utilization of local forest resources by bringing in Chinese technique in wood processing, promoting local employment and increasing added value of products. They agreed that the relationship between China and Africa was at a historic period. Not only should the economic cooperation be deepened, but also the cooperation on cultural exchanges and social responsibility be strengthened.