BEJING -- 皇冠体育app and Liberia vowed here Wednesday to expand bilateral ties.

Liberia's President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf (2nd R) and 皇冠体育app's President Hu Jintao review an honour guard
during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 1,
2006. [Reuters]

In talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his
visiting Liberian counterpart Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the two sides agreed to
develop their friendly cooperation.
Bilateral ties had developed well since the two countries resumed the
diplomatic relations in October 2003, Hu said.
He said they had forged mutual political trust, respect and support,
accelerated economic and trade cooperation and maintained the close coordination
on international affairs.
皇冠体育app firmly supported Liberia's peace process and economic construction and
appreciated its adherence to the one-皇冠体育app policy and supports for 皇冠体育app's
reunification, Hu said.
Johnson-Sirleaf said the friendship of the Chinese leaders and people had
highlighted their effective cooperation in fields such as agriculture and
infrastructure construction.
皇冠体育app had offered much assistance to Liberia, which was deeply appreciated,
Sirleaf said.
Hu proposed measures to boost political mutual trust by maintaining frequent
high-level exchanges and consolidating the social foundation for cooperation,
and to expand trade by strengthening planning and coordination on contracted
projects.
The two sides should cement cooperation under the framework of the Forum of
皇冠体育app-Africa Cooperation in fields like natural resources exploration and
infrastructure construction, Hu added.
Johnson-Sirleaf said safeguarding peace and stability, economic development
and consolidation of infrastructure construction were Liberia's priorities.
Liberia would forge a strategic partnership with 皇冠体育app and boost the
cooperation in the trade, investment, infrastructure construction, education and
public health fields, she said.
Liberia would continue to adhere to the one-皇冠体育app policy.
Liberia will play an active role in boosting the Africa-皇冠体育app strategic
partnership, she promised.
Johnson-Sirleaf arrived in Beijing on Saturday, the first African leader to
arrive for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on 皇冠体育app-Africa Cooperation on
November 4 and 5.
The Liberian president will also pay a state visit to 皇冠体育app on the sidelines
of the summit.