45th National Day: President Paul Biya Decorates Senior Chinese Banker

Li Ruogu received the Medal of Grand Officer of National Valour on May 19, 2017 in Beijing, China.

Cameroon and China have enjoyed good cooperation ties since 46 years, with commercial exchanges from 2008 to 2017 standing at about 2 Billion US Dollars (or 1,171 Billion FCFA). Between 2008 and 2015, China granted Cameroon loans worth 3 Billion US Dollars (about 1,756 Billion FCFA) mainly for infrastructure, road construction and telecommunications development. It is in this light that President Paul Biya on June 6, 2016, issued a decree exceptionally awarding the Medal of Grand Officer of National Valour to Li Ruogu, former President and Governor of EXIM Bank of China.

The recipient was decorated in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on May 19, 2017, by Ambassador Martin Mpana on the occasion of Cameroon’s 45^th National Day.  Representing the Chinese government at the event was Zang Ming, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador said the bestowal was in recognition of Li Ruogu’s facilitation of Cameroon’s receipt of financial assistance from EXIM Bank of China between 2009 and 2015. He added that the conferment by President Biya was in acknowledgement of Li Ruogu’s “high level of respect and managerial skills.”

Responding, Li Ruogu said the medal was a great personal honour and recognition of the work of EXIM Bank of China. He thanked President Biya, noting that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in South Africa in December 2015 has contributed immensely to the continent’s sustainable development. “As President of EXIM Bank, I witnessed the evolution of Cameroon under the leadership of President Biya. I was proud to be part of thi...