Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said in Beijing Friday that her nation hopes to intensify trade and investment cooperation with China to benefit its people.

 

The president, who is here to attend the weekend's Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, said at a news briefing that Liberia attaches great importance to boosting trade and investment exchanges with China.

 

She said her country would like to develop value-added commodities to tap the Chinese market, hoping Chinese experts can teach Liberians how to use their bamboo resources.

 

China and Liberia have signed Memorandum of Understanding on oil exploration and on cooperation in relocation of Liberian universities destroyed in wars and expansion of the country's national radio network.

 

The president said the summit provides a wonderful opportunity to strengthen China-African relationship.

 

"This will give us an opportunity to see where we are, what kind of progress has been made, how we can make sure that we do more together in trade, in investment, in getting our people to understand our history and our culture," she said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2006)