In furtherance of the bilateral relationship between the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, a high-powered delegation led by Mr. Lai Mingyong, the Vice Chairman of Hunan Provincial CPPCC, Member of the Standing Committee of CDC Central Committee, Chairman of Hunan Provincial Committee of China Democratic Construction, paid courtesy call on the Leadership of Sierra Leone Parliament wherein, they discussed mutual beneficial diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.
In his welcome address, the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas accorded a red carpet welcome to the Chinese Delegation for their timely visitation to Sierra Leone with specificity to the House of Parliament. Speaker Thomas reaffirmed that, the House of Sierra Leone Parliament had had an indelible diplomatic relationship with China over the years. The House Speaker acknowledged that, Siera Leone had enjoyed colossal diplomatic cooperation with China, adding that both countries had benefited hugely from such mutual cooperation.
As Members of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas recommitted that they would ensure that the bilateral relationship with China is sustained and remained unhindered. Speaker Thomas reassured that the Parliament of Sierra Leone is always ready to support mutual beneficiary agreements that come before the House of Parliament for ratification. He said a nation like Sierra Leone might have other friends, but confessed that China had been one of the best friends.
“We don’t want to take this friendship between China for granted, because we know that the relationship with China has been a good relationship. So we are always willing to visit China and pleased to receive the Chinese Delegation whenever they visit Sierra Leone”, Speaker Thomas concluded.
On his part, the Opposition Leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, expressed elation for the visit of the Chinese Delegation to the House of Parliament. The Opposition Leader assured the delegation that Sierra Leone and China Relations would remain sustained and cherished. Hon. Abdul Kargbo also profoundly appreciated the Chinese delegation for supporting development projects in Sierra Leone, especially those related to the Parliamentary Service. He wished for the best outcome of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship. On behalf of the Speaker and the Leadership of Parliament, he conveyed thanks and appreciation to the Chinese Delegation for such a friendship visitation.
The Lead of the Chinese Delegation, Lai Mingyong, the Vice Chairman of Hunan Provincial CPPCC, Member of the Standing Committee of CDC Central Committee, and Chairman of Hunan Provincial Committee of China Democratic Construction, was thrilled by the reception accorded by the Parliamentary Leadership. He recalled that China-Sierra Leone had enjoyed over seventy-Five years of bilateral relations. He assured the Leadership of the Parliament that China would cherish the relationship between Sierra Leone and China. He also expressed gratitude to the Speaker and the entire leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament for ensuring that China enjoys an enviable friendship with Sierra Leone. He concluded by appealing to the Speaker and the entire leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament for a consistent Study Tour to China.
The Chinese Delegation to Parliament included the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing, Deng Qunce, a Member of the Party Group and Secretary General of Hunan Provincial CPPCC, Chen Zhongbo, Member of the Standing Committee of Hunan Provincial CPPCC, Director of the Committee of Population, Resources, and Environment, Luo Shuangquan, Member of the Standing Committee of Hunan Provincial CPPCC, Vice Chairman of Zhigong Party Hunan Provincial Committee, Director of Hunan Provincial Sports Bureau, Liu Delin Director of Port Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, Xiao Hao Vice President of School of Economic and Trade of Hunan University, Executive Secretary General of China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute. An official group portrait climaxed the mutual friendship meeting between the Leadership of Sierra Leone Parliament and the Delegation from the People’s Republic of China.