Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Ren Yisheng has described ‘long-term peace and stability’ as the surest ways to enhance Liberia’s international image ahead of the country upcoming Presidential and legislative election slated for October of this year.
At the Diplomatic Development Initiative (DipDev Init) forum recently, Ambassador Yisheng among other things called on Liberians to ensure the maintenance of the country fragile peace as they prepared cast their ballots to elect their new leaders in the upcoming elections.
“The primary task for Liberia to enhance its international state image is to maintain long-term peace and stability and achieve national reconciliation and unity. This is an important prerequisite and guarantee for achieving prosperity and development and enhancing the country’s international image,” he maintained.
The Diplomatic Development Initiative (DipDev Init) is a forum to enrich the intellect of young aspiring diplomats. The forum is an initiative of Ambassador Ali Sylla, Head of Mission, Embassy of Liberia in Qatar.
Speaking on International State Branding and Soft Power Diplomacy, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia noted Liberia’s international image branding and her soft power diplomacy started back when the country first gained its independence on the African continent.
According to him, the country had superior natural conditions, rich mineral resources, and huge development potential in agriculture, forestry, fishery, and tourism before the civil conflict broke out in 1989.
He added: “Liberia was an important rice-producing country in West Africa and a favorite destination for education, medical care, and tourism in the sub-region. After the conflict, Liberia has been committed to maintaining peace and stability and trying to restore its pre-conflict position in the sub-region.”
Despite the country’s return to its pre-war status, Ambassador Yisheng further that Liberia is faced with challenges like damaged infrastructure, inadequate exploration of development potential, insufficient public services, and lagging education and training of young people.
He said the country needs to accelerate the construction and improvement of infrastructure, especially roads, electricity, and telecommunications. “Vigorously develop agriculture to realize self-sufficiency of staple food, and actively develop education, vocational training, health care, and tourism.”
“All of those things will attach importance to the publicity of the country’s international image and public diplomacy. It will cultivate public diplomacy talents, and carry out relevant international cooperation.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador at the same time also called on the young aspiring diplomats to be good at exploring the value of Liberia’s unique culture, and promote it to the world in a more magnetizing approach.
“All of you present here are both common individuals as well as representatives of Liberia. If your words and deeds can contribute to shaping Liberia’s favorable state image, then you have also contributed to enhancing the country’s soft power,” he said.
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