BEIJING – China has expressed a positive response to Liberia’s appeal for assistance in renovating key sections of the Capitol Building that were destroyed by fire in December 2024, signaling renewed momentum in the growing diplomatic and legislative ties between the two nations.
The appeal was made by President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, during a high-level meeting with Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and member of the Politburo Standing Committee, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence requested China’s support to renovate the rotunda and other damaged parts of the Capitol Building. The historic structure was severely affected by a fire on December 18, 2024, disrupting legislative activities and raising concerns over infrastructure safety. In response, Mr. Zhao instructed China’s Vice Foreign Minister to coordinate with the Chinese and Liberian Ambassadors to work out the technical formalities through diplomatic channels.
Beyond infrastructure, Senator Karnga-Lawrence also proposed the establishment of a capacity-building mechanism for employees of the Liberian Legislature. She recommended short-term specialized training, seminars, and scholarship opportunities to strengthen the professional capacity of legislators and staff. Mr. Zhao welcomed the proposal, affirming China’s readiness to host training programs for Liberian lawmakers and staff in China.
The Liberian delegation, which included Montserrado County District #1 Representative Hon. Rugie Yatu Barry, is in China at the invitation of the NPC to attend the 2025 Global Leaders Meeting on Women, co-hosted by China and UN Women. During the talks, Representative Barry emphasized Liberia’s commitment to deepening its relationship with China, describing the current visit as a reflection of the growing cooperation between the Liberian National Legislature and the National People’s Congress.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence reiterated Liberia’s adherence to the One China Policy and reaffirmed its support for the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. She also expressed strong backing for President Xi Jinping’s vision of building “a community with a shared future for mankind,” a cornerstone of China’s foreign policy.
Mr. Zhao acknowledged the strengthening of political mutual trust between Liberia and China under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration. He noted that cooperation between the two countries has yielded tangible results across various sectors and assured that China will continue to support Liberia’s development agenda. “China supports President Boakai’s government strategy and stands ready to work with Liberia to consolidate the good development momentum of our bilateral relations,” Mr. Zhao stated.
He pledged China’s commitment to implementing the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, highlighting the shared determination to deliver practical benefits to both nations and to deepen the China-Africa partnership.
Meanwhile, the Liberian delegation also paid a courtesy call on Mr. Chen Xiaodong, head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). Mr. Chen outlined ongoing development projects in Liberia, including the construction of two overhead bridges along Tubman Boulevard, the building of new Liberian Broadcasting System facilities, the establishment of a National Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory, and the provision of 13 million worth of grain food assistance. He also announced plans to supply Liberia with agricultural machinery and government vehicles.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence expressed gratitude to CIDCA for its contributions to Liberia’s development and highlighted the significance of the ongoing infrastructure projects. Her visit, she said, was both to strengthen bilateral cooperation and to express appreciation for China’s tangible support to Liberia’s national development efforts.
