Tens of thousands of Liberian farmers are to benefit from one million U.S. dollars worth of agricultural tools from the Chinese government as Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Lin Songtian presented them in Monrovia to Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Friday.

"I am happy that the first shipment of 6 containers of farming tools is already here, and the second shipment of 18 containers will call the port of within one week," Lin said.

"Now it is time for the dear farmers of Liberia to be armed with farming tools, and work hard in your rich soil for your food sufficiency and better life," Lin added.

According to the Chinese ambassador, the tools are under a " gratuitous assistance and is being implemented as a top priority."

Some of the tools include 630,000 pieces of cutlass, hoe, axe, file, digger shovel, rake, among others. The farming tools bring to three the number of significant bilateral assistance to Liberia from the Chinese government since the inauguration of the Johnson- Sirleaf's administration last January 16.

Following the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxin to Liberia in January and a high-level Chinese military delegation in March, the Chinese government announced a 5 million dollars interest-free new loan to the country and a 600,000 dollars assistance to build the capacity of the Liberian army.

In addition to these, Lin said his government would "help the Liberian government push forward the process of national reconstruction," adding that "hina is ready to write off all the overdue debts Liberia owes China as of the end of 2004." Lin also said China has offered duty-free special arrangement to open the vast Chinese markets to Liberian products.

Responding to these gestures, president Johnson-Sirleaf said " this is another manifestation in a very concrete way of support in the partnership between Liberia and China that Liberians can enjoy. "

Tens of thousands of Liberians are expected to return to subsistence farming activities following 14 years of civil war which had displaced them from their localities.

Regarding the debt waiver, she said it was a surprise, but she assured that her government would work with the Chinese government on the gesture, reaffirming her government's support for the "one China" policy.

Source: Xinhua