On November 1, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is here in China for a state visit and will attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Both sides agreed to deepen friendly cooperation and push for bilateral ties.

Hu said the Chinese people have always held friendly feelings towards the Liberian people. Since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties in October 2003, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly with mutual respect, trust and support in the political area, rapid development in trade cooperation and close coordination in international affairs. China firmly supports Liberia's peace process and economic reconstruction and appreciates the Liberian government's adherence to the one-China policy and its support of China's reunification, Hu said.

Johnson-Sirleaf said through her short visit, she has felt the friendly feelings the Chinese leaders and people hold for the Liberian people. In recent years Liberia has conducted effective cooperation with China in agriculture, infrastructure construction and other areas through various mechanisms and Liberia appreciates China's assistance which is of great significance to the Liberian people, she added.

Hu stressed to deepen friendly cooperation and promote all-round development of bilateral ties conforms to the fundamental interest of the two countries and peoples. China is ready to join hands with Liberia to push the relations to a new high.

Hu proposed both sides should maintain high-level visits, build up political trust, push for personnel contacts in various areas and at all levels, deepen mutual understanding and friendship and cement the social basis of friendly cooperation. He also suggested the two countries deepen economic and trade cooperation, strengthen planning, guidance, and coordination for trade cooperation, expand trade scale, well implement projects under construction and pave a way for the businesses of the two countries to cooperate in the areas of resources development and infrastructure construction. Hu urged the two sides to strengthen cooperation under the FOCAC framework, vowing that China will continue to provide opportunities for the Liberian side to receive training here, and help Liberia with human resources development and capacity building. Both sides should expand educational and health cooperation, enhance multilateral collaboration, maintain communication, and coordinate positions in a bid to jointly build a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity, Hu added.

Johnson-Sirleaf said to safeguard peace and stability, rejuvenate economy, strengthen infrastructure construction and promote good governance are priority tasks of the Liberian government. President Hu's proposals on bilateral ties are in line with Liberia's development strategy. Liberia is determined to establish strategic partnership with China and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with it in the areas of economy, trade, investment, infrastructure construction, education and health so as to carry forward the friendship for generations to come and bring benefits to both peoples. She reaffirmed the Liberian government will not change its one-China policy. Johnson-Sirleaf said over the past decades, Africa and China have shared sound relations and such ties have been consolidated in recent years. She expressed her support for the FOCAC, as well as her pleasure at the upcoming Beijing Summit, noting that Liberia is ready to play a positive role for the development of Africa–China strategic partnership.

Following the talks, Hu and Johnson-Sirleaf attended a signing ceremony of the agreement on economic and technology cooperation and other documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu hosted a grand welcome ceremony for Johnson-Sirleaf. Present at the ceremony were Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China Uyunqimg, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) Xu Kuangdi, Vice Chairman Yang Bangjie of the Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai and Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Lin Songtian.