Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua made this disclosure Monday night at a reception marking the founding of the People’s Liberation Army.
KPatawee is a beautiful, picturesque stretch of land with the great waterfall that many believe could be an important source of tourist attraction in the country.
It is situated a few miles away from the Cuttington University, in Suakoko, Bong County. Prior to the Liberian civil war, the government operated a farm there, producing mainly rice. It is not known how the future agricultural development, through the proposed “Modern Farm” initiative, will affect the waterfall.
But a source at the Chinese Embassy in Monrovia told the Daily Observer that the modern farm will be developed by a private Chinese-owned company.
The initial plan is to grow wheat and vegetables. But there are also plans to begin a large-scale rice farm.
Commenting on the initiative by the Chinese Government, the Communication Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hassan Kiawu, said there are Chinese workers already in the region implementing the Agriculture Sector Rehabilitations Project (ASRP) intended to modernize the farm.
The Chinese are currently engaged into Mercia-el 19, a system of low land rice production that produces rice in high quality.
At the same time, China will spend US$26,000 to educate an additional 300 students in china, according to Chinese envoy Zhao. Since this year, he said, China has provided over 200 training opportunities to Liberian professionals and students.
Meanwhile, the economic and trade ties between China and Liberia have been further strengthened, said Ambassador Zhao.
China - Liberia trade volume reached US$5 billion last year; making Liberia number three among China and West Africa countries, and number four among China and African countries.
The Bong Mines, China’s largest single investment in Liberia and in Africa, is preparing for production early next year, the Ambassador indicated.
He added that Chinese companies have been playing a leading role in Liberia’s infrastructural construction.
The Ambassador recalled that China recently handed over to the Liberian Government a brand new building to house the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The Ambassador also reiterated the Chinese Government’s committed to building a modern ministerial complex for the Government of Liberia.
“We are positively considering building two executive annexes; one for the Senate and one for the House of Representatives,” he added.
