By: Mohamed Sahr
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone marked the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with a special event in Freetown. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency Ambassador Wang Qing, who delivered a keynote address highlighting the historical significance of the day.
Ambassador Wang expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for its long-standing support in the development of China-Sierra Leone relations. He underscored that the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 marked the beginning of a new era in China’s history, one that has been transformative under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Ambassador Wang emphasized that over the past 76 years, the Chinese people, under CPC leadership, have driven the nation’s incredible transformation from a period of hardship to one of prosperity and strength. “Today, China stands as a more dynamic country with a strong sense of responsibility towards human progress and world harmony. We are committed to providing much-needed stability and certainty to a world that is increasingly turbulent and uncertain,” he stated.
He further noted that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course. “Every increase in China’s strength is an increase in the prospects of world peace and development,” Ambassador Wang added.
Ambassador Wang highlighted China’s role as a key engine of global economic growth, noting that despite global economic challenges and trade tensions, China’s GDP grew by 5.3% year-on-year in the first half of 2025. This growth, he stated, demonstrates the country’s resilience and vitality.
He also emphasized China’s ongoing efforts to boost innovation-driven development, particularly in areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and new energy vehicles. “Our progress toward high-quality development has become increasingly steady, and we continue to play a pivotal role in free trade and economic globalization,” he said.
The Ambassador also pointed out that China’s overall tariff level has been reduced to 7.3%, one of the lowest in the world, reflecting the country’s commitment to trade liberalization. He added that China is steadily expanding institutional opening-up policies, introducing new regulations and standards to foster high-quality trade and investment.
Ambassador Wang further highlighted China’s unilateral opening-up policies, particularly its assistance to least-developed countries. He noted that China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines from these countries, opposing the abuse of tariffs and safeguarding the multilateral trading system.
He reaffirmed China’s stance on supporting the global community, particularly the least developed nations, by defending their legitimate rights and promoting international fairness and justice.
The Ambassador also discussed China’s role as a constructive force for world peace and stability. He mentioned China’s diplomatic efforts in addressing global hotspots, such as the Ukraine crisis, the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He pointed out that China has contributed over 50,000 peacekeepers to 25 missions, making it the largest contributor of military personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.
In commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Ambassador Wang underscored the importance of preserving the historical truths of World War II and building a better future through global cooperation.
Ambassador Wang concluded by stressing China’s commitment to improving global governance. He referred to President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which emphasizes principles such as sovereign equality, international law, multilateralism, and a people-centered approach.
“The GGI offers Chinese wisdom and proposes Chinese solutions for building a more just and equitable global governance system,” Ambassador Wang affirmed.
The Ambassador also highlighted the deepening bilateral ties between China and Sierra Leone, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. He noted that China has played an active role in supporting Sierra Leone’s development, from investments in key infrastructure projects to humanitarian assistance during health crises like the Ebola outbreak and more recently, the Mpox outbreak.
Ambassador Wang commended Sierra Leone’s role on the international stage, particularly its election as the Chair of ECOWAS and as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council. He also acknowledged the successful partnership between both countries in fulfilling their duties as members of the UN Security Council.
Additionally, the Ambassador revealed that 121 Sierra Leonean students were awarded Chinese government scholarships this year, with more than 500 individuals from various sectors having participated in exchange programs in China. Nearly 5,000 Sierra Leoneans have visited China for tourism, business, and other purposes, further cementing the strong ties between the two nations.
In his address, Ambassador Wang emphasized that China and Sierra Leone share a deep and growing friendship, grounded in mutual respect and cooperation. Both nations are committed to furthering their partnership for the benefit of their peoples and the world at large.
The celebration of the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China underscored not only the achievements of the Chinese nation but also the strong and enduring relationship between China and Sierra Leone.
