By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Snr)
The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone convened a high-level symposium at China House on Tuesday to brief Sierra Leonean officials, academics, and civil society representatives on the priorities of China’s newly adopted 15th Five-Year Plan, under the theme “Shaping the Future: China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.”
The event featured remarks from H.E. Zhao Yong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sierra Leone, and contributions from local dignitaries emphasizing the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Ambassador Zhao opened the proceedings by placing China’s latest national blueprint in a global context, noting the role of the Two Sessions China’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference as a window into Beijing’s development trajectory. “China remains the most stable engine for global economic growth,” he said, citing a five-year average GDP growth of 5.4 percent and China’s contribution of roughly 30 percent to global growth. He also highlighted milestones in science and technology, including advances in AI, biomedicine, robotics, and quantum technologies, noting that China holds 60 percent of the world’s AI patents.
He stated that China and Sierra Leone are good friends and good partners; adding that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, the friendship between China and Sierra Leone has withstood the test of changing international circumstances and demonstrated strong vitality. This year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of our Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. ‘’China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to enhance political mutual trust, strengthen international coordination, promote closer people-to-people exchanges, and ensure that the fruits of our cooperation better benefit the peoples of both nations,’’ he said.
Explaining the thrust of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Ambassador Zhao described it as charting “a new journey of Chinese modernization,” addressing the challenge of modernizing for a population of 1.4 billion. The Plan introduces policies to boost consumption, upgrade industries, and expand emerging and future sectors. “China will further expand high-standard opening up, stabilize and optimize the structure of foreign trade, expand two-way investment cooperation, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,” he said, noting China’s GDP growth target for 2026 of 4.5-5 percent.
Officials emphasized that China’s commitments to Africa extend beyond tariff concessions. Ambassador Zhao highlighted that while zero-tariff access for eligible African imports will begin on 1 May, the 15th Five-Year Plan also aims to foster deeper cooperation in technology, governance, and institutional capacity.
He explained that the Plan emphasizes industrial and digital upgrading, joint research, vocational training, and knowledge exchange, stressing that sustainable technology collaboration and capacity-building are central to China’s external engagement. Speakers framed this approach as a partnership to strengthen African institutions rather than a one-way form of aid.
Dr. Brima P. Kapuwa, Director General at State House, highlighted the robust historical and contemporary ties between the two nations, noting that Sierra Leone and China recently celebrated 55 years of diplomatic relations. He reported that bilateral trade reached approximately $3 billion in 2021, a 20 percent increase from the previous year. “China’s contributions include infrastructure projects, educational opportunities, and economic support,” Dr. Kapuwa said, describing the relationship as “win-win” and urging Sierra Leoneans to take advantage of training and scholarship opportunities to adopt new technologies and governance practices.
Dr. Alpheous Koroma spoke on China–Africa cultural exchange and education, reflecting on China’s poverty-reduction experience and vocational education models. He encouraged practical application of lessons from China’s development in technical training and institutional governance in Sierra Leone.
The symposium concluded with commitments to make Ambassador Zhao’s statement available to scholars and to compile data on Chinese scholarships and training placements for Sierra Leoneans. Participants included representatives from China–Sierra Leone friendship organizations, media, think tanks, alumni groups, and government offices, demonstrating broad interest in strengthening bilateral ties during this milestone period in the countries’ relationship.
