CHINA-LIBERIA CHAMPION UN REFORM
- A QUEST FOR PERMANENT SEAT FOR AFRICA ON SECURITY COUNCIL
It was may of this year, when Liberia and China reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateralism, amplifying the voice of the Global South, and advancing reform of the UN Security Council, following high-level talks held in Beijing on Tuesday.
We appreciate the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi for extending a special invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, Madam Sara Beysolow-Nyanti to visit China ahead of the high-level week, as the two met to advance the strategic partnership forged by Presidents Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Xi Jinping at the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit.
It is our understanding that Under that shared vision, both presidents committed to a strategic partnership rooted in mutual respect, development, and South-South solidarity, charting a course for deeper and more structured bilateral engagement.
As Wang Yi praised nearly 50 years of friendship between the two nations, recalling moments of solidarity during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic as testament to the enduring nature of the bilateral relationship.
He noted that under the guidance of both presidents, political trust has grown significantly and bilateral ties have been elevated to a strategic partnership that continues to gain momentum.
As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, Liberia outlined its priorities including peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and inclusive diplomacy, linking its Council role to domestic stability and broader regional security,
But what Africa, especially Liberia should fight for is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Both ministers called for Council reforms to make the body more effective and representative, with Liberia advocating for permanent seats and stronger African representation in global governance structures. China pledged close coordination with Liberia on UN agendas, underscoring the importance of multilateralism and resisting unilateralism in global decision making. Both sides highlighted their shared determination to safeguard the rights and interests of developing nations.
Holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council for May, China announced plans to convene a high-level open debate on 26 May under the theme “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System.” Foreign Minister Wang Yi invited Minister Beysolow-Nyanti to take the floor as a speaker at the debate, underscoring the urgency of reinforcing the Charter amid growing global turbulence and deepening divisions within the international community.
It is admirable that Wang Yi pledged continued support for Liberia’s sovereignty and development, with expanded cooperation in trade, agriculture, and livelihoods. He reaffirmed China’s support for Liberia’s role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and expressed readiness to strengthen multilateral coordination in defense of the UN Charter and the interests of the Global South.
Minister Beysolow-Nyanti opened by thanking China for extending the zero tariff policy to Liberia, noting its significant potential to accelerate economic growth, boost exports, and expand trade opportunities for the Liberian people. She expressed that the policy, which took effect on 1 May, reflects the depth of China’s commitment to Liberia’s development and positions the country to benefit more meaningfully from its relationship with Beijing. She then expressed gratitude for decades of assistance spanning infrastructure, health, and education, pointing to recent milestones including the dedication of the Liberia Broadcasting System complex and ongoing construction along Tubman Boulevard.
She also expressed eagerness to expand collaboration in trade, investment, and agriculture, building on momentum from the 2024 China-Liberia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum held in Shenzhen.
She further commended China’s active engagement in conflict-affected regions across Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel, thanking Beijing for its constructive role in advancing peace and security on the continent. Both sides welcomed 2026 as the “Year of People to People Exchanges,” seeing it as a practical framework for deepening cultural understanding, fostering youth cooperation, and advancing modernization across both nations.
Minister Beysolow-Nyanti reaffirmed Liberia’s steadfast adherence to the One China Policy, noting that the principle holds special historic weight as it was codified into law by Liberia’s National Legislature when President Boakai served as President of the Senate.
She expressed full support for China’s vision of “a community with a shared future for mankind.”
