The Chinese government will "never do anything to sour relations between the two countries," Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Lin Songtian told Liberian youth in Monrovia Saturday.

The Chinese ambassador gave the assurance at a youth forum on the theme "How to Strengthen Bilateral Relations between Liberia and China" attended by several hundred young people.

"The Chinese-Liberian relations will be strengthened when Liberia protects the interest of its people and support the 'one China' principle," he said.

China and Liberia established diplomatic ties in 1977, and the relationship has severed twice after Liberia established official contacts with Taiwan due to "lack of comprehensive knowledge over the Taiwan question," Lin said.

He said he is confident that bilateral ties that resumed in October 2003 would be sustained.

He also indicated that China will continue support the Liberian peace process.

The forum was organized by Liberia's Youth Against Violence in an effort to solicit assistance for the renovation of a school, about 17 km from the border with Sierra Leone, which was vandalized during the 14-year Liberian civil war.

Currently, China has up to 600 peacekeeping troops serving within the United Nations Mission in Liberia. Other activities the Chinese are engaged in include the renovation of a sports stadium and providing the Liberian government with technical assistance in the agriculture and health sectors.