China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country

The document analyzes China's multifaceted role in Liberia's recovery between 2003 and 2013, covering its participation in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), bilateral development aid, and large-scale investments. While China provided critical infrastructure and diplomatic support, the author argues that the economic relationship is characterized by a significant imbalance, describing it as a 'relative win' for Liberia and an 'absolute win' for China due to massive trade surpluses and favorable mining concessions.

• China's participation in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) focused heavily on 'hardware'—logistics and engineering—rather than 'software' like institutional reform. By the end of 2013, China's total contribution to UNMIL was estimated at 8,370 troops, making it the fourth largest troop contributor.
• Chinese engineering units in UNMIL significantly improved Liberia's poor road network, renovating and maintaining over 500 km of road, including the Zwedru–Tappita, Zwedru–Greenville, and Zwedru–Webo highways.
• Bilateral development aid from China targeted education, health, and agriculture. Notable projects include the $23 million Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia, the $10 million Jackson F Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital, and a $6 million Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre in Maryland County.
• Trade between China and Liberia is characterized by a severe imbalance. In 2012, two-way trade totaled $3.67 billion, but the balance was $3.44 billion in favor of China. The author notes that the Chinese trade surplus is 15 times its total contribution to Liberia's post-conflict reconstruction.
• The Bong Mine Agreement with China Union Mining is viewed as highly favorable to China. The expected benefit ratio is approximately 1 to 4.5, with Liberia expected to gain $2.7 billion compared to $10.6 billion for China Union. The agreement includes controversial exemptions from surtaxes on high-yield projects and a zero withholding tax on dividends for the first 12 years.
• Chinese construction companies in Liberia, such as Chico and Cico, are criticized for low pay, poor working conditions, and substandard work. For example, Chico was accused of substandard work on a 15 km section of the Cotton Tree–Bokay Town road, which began to deteriorate shortly after completion.

APA

Moumouni, G. (2014). China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Occasional-Paper-182.pdf

Chicago

Moumouni, Guillaume. China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Occasional-Paper-182.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Moumouni |first1=Guillaume |title=China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=April 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Occasional-Paper-182.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{moumouni2014china, author = {Moumouni, Guillaume}, title = {{China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Occasional-Paper-182.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }