By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
In a historic and unprecedented trajectory, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China have on Wednesday 8th January 2025 in a very special occasion launched a book titled “China-Sierra Leone Relations – Friendship, Co-operation and Win-Win Diplomacy”.
The historic literature written by Professor David J. Francis with contributions from other professors including Joe A.D. Alie was officially launched by the two countries Ministers of Foreign Affairs, H.E Wang Qing and Timothy Kabba, at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown, making Sierra Leone the second African country to launch such an important book.
In his statement during the launching ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone H.E Wang Qing first off appreciated Prof. David J Francis and his team for providing what he described as important and valuable reference for the people of Sierra Leone and China to benefit. He expressed that the occasion fully demonstrates that China and Sierra Leone relation and co-operation have a good social consensus and a solid public foundation.
Ambassador Wang Qing went on highlighting some major contributions of China to Sierra Leone and some mutual benefits both countries have been experiencing since the establishment of the bilateral co-operation. He also recalled the recent bilateral activities that have helped strengthen the friendship and relation of both countries to a higher level. Amb Wang Qing assured that 2025 would be a crucial year for them to implement more developmental initiatives, adding that China-Sierra Leone relation should be labelled as a bright future for the next 50 years.
The Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba delivered the keynote address during the launching ceremony where he also described the book as a very important one. He added that the book has crystalized in form of academic policy research and document that reflect the rich history of China-Sierra Leone relationship and assured that it would have to benefit both their people.
Highlighting some mutual benefits between both bounties, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabba expressed that China has the most valuable resources in the world and Sierra Leone has been a great contributor. He also noted that China has immensely contributed in the infrastructural and educational advancement of Sierra Leone. He therefore said there is need for stronger partnership. He emphasized that the book is very important to them at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and would serve as reference to future Ministers.
The Author of the book “China-Sierra Leone Relationship – Friendship, Co-operation and Win-Win Diplomacy” Professor David J. Francis explained why the book is of utmost importance as he noted that China has been one of the most important bilateral and development partners to Sierra Leone. “The book carefully examines the China-Sierra Leone relations, within the framework of the long-standing friendship, win-win diplomacy and the complex co-operation between the two counties at the geo-political, bilateral and multilateral levels of engagement,” he noted.
Prof. Francis furthered that the book is the first ever historic academic documents for China in Sierra Leone and the second in Africa. As Sierra Leone and China have been in a mutual benefit relationship, he said the book would take Sierra Leone-China relationship ever forward. He added that it highlights the practical benefits of China to Sierra Leone for the past 50 years. He credited major contributors to the book who were also present at the launching.
The book was officially unveiled by the Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone Wing Qing and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba.
Special contributions were also made by some important personalities present at the launching ceremony. One key contributor was Memunatu Pratt who urged for similar efforts to be made in other important institutions. Dr. Hinga, Sadi lecturer and former Minister commended the People’s Republic of China for the support in the academic area as he affirmed that almost all the big universities in Sierra Leone have lecturers studied in China. Local Director at the Confucius Institute Fourah Bay College also commended China in the same line as he noted that they now have graduates speaking Chinese fluently.
The launching of such a literature would indeed have to benefit future ambassadors and ministers and as well as academicians and researchers. It will equally contribute in the strengthening of the bilateral co-operation and relationship of both China and Sierra Leone.
