By: James Kamara-Manneh
During the first session of the Face-to-Face media engagement at the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Chinese Ambassador Wang briefed the press on the recent state visit of His Excellency President Bio to China. The Ambassador described the visit as marking a new era for Sierra Leone-China relations and summarized the visit as follows:
“President Julius Maada Bio recently concluded a highly successful state visit to China, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the two nations. The visit, which took place the week before last, saw President Bio engaging in a series of high-level meetings and activities aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in various fields.
During his stay in China, President Bio held talks with President Xi Jinping, where the two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on a wide range of topics including China-Sierra Leone relations, China-Africa cooperation, and global issues of mutual concern. The discussions led to the reaffirmation of strong ties between the two countries and the identification of areas for further collaboration.
In addition to his meeting with President Xi Jinping, President Bio also met with other key Chinese leaders, including H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. These meetings provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views and deepen political mutual trust.
The visit also included a series of activities aimed at promoting economic cooperation and investment between China and Sierra Leone. President Bio hosted the Sierra Leone Investment Forum, where he highlighted the investment opportunities available in his country. He also visited several Chinese companies, including China Kingho Group and China Railway Group, with the aim of exploring potential collaboration in various sectors.
One of the highlights of the visit was President Bio’s visit to the Institute of Food Crops of Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Wuhan, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the China University of Geosciences. This visit underscored the importance of cooperation in the field of agriculture between China and Sierra Leone.
The visit also saw the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents, including agreements in the fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, agriculture, economic development, and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative. These agreements are expected to further deepen practical cooperation between the two countries and pave the way for future collaboration.
In a joint statement released during the visit, China and Sierra Leone expressed their commitment to upholding the principles of equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. They also pledged to work together to promote regional and international cooperation on issues of common concern.
Overall, President Bio’s state visit to China has been hailed as a resounding success, marking a new chapter in the history of China-Sierra Leone relations. The visit has laid a solid foundation for the deepening of bilateral ties and the expansion of cooperation in various fields, which is expected to bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries in the years to come.”
