By: Mohamed Sahr
The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has on Friday 17th January 2024 celebrated its New Year marking the year of the snake which serves as a moment of family reunion as well reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future.
The event which was held in Bintumani Conference Centre exhibits Chinese cultural heritage, foods, exciting songs and fanfare of hope for the New Year.
As the New Year of the Snake festival commences, Chinese people across the world extend prosperity to their motherland, happiness and well being of the people.
Making his keynote address, Ambassador Wang Qing, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone said 2025 is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the beginning year of implementing the outcomes of FOCAC Beijing Summit.
He added that the Chinese New Year Celebration successfully passed the UNESCO review and became an intangible cultural heritage of mankind. “In more than ten days, we will usher in the first Chinese New Year after it was successfully listed as a world heritage,” Ambassador Qing said.
Emphasising that in traditional Chinese culture, the snake symbolises wisdom, wealth, transformation and growth.
He mentioned that the past year was a great year in the history of the development of China-Sierra Leone bilateral relations.
Ambassador Qing revealed that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio visited China twice in one year, paying a state visit to China in February and attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit in September.
Stating that during the state visit to China, the two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Sierra Leone, China-Africa relations and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad and important consensus, which opened a new era for consolidating bilateral relations and promoting diversified development of cooperation.
Ambassador Qing underscored the Embassy’s unswerving commitment to fostering diplomacy for the people in an effort to safeguarding the legitimate interests of their compatriots, providing quality services as well help to solve problems.
He urged the Chinese community to continue supporting Sierra Leone’s economy and China-Sierra Leone practical cooperation, as it plays a vital role to connecting the two countries.
Ambassador Qing recalled that in 2024, he visited major projects, mines, factories, companies and institutions operated by Chinese people in Sierra Leone, which showcase the positive contributions to promoting China-Sierra Leone friendship and cooperation.
Madam Nabeela Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs said the Year of the Snake occasion marks not only the dawn of a New Year but also shows the commitment of the shared values, resilient and prosperity that unite the two sides.
She noted that the Chinese New Year is a festival that transcends cultural boundaries and unite people in the spirit of renewal and hope.
Minister Tunis commended the Chinese Embassy for its unwavering commitment to strengthen people-people relation through cultural exchange programs. “These exchanges are more than just celebration, they are rigid that force the mutual understanding, friendship and long term cooperation between Sierra Leone and China,” madam Tunis said.
She recognised the relevant contributions China has made in enhancing Sierra Leone’s tourism sector and look forward to welcoming more Chinese tourists to experience the beauty, heritage and hospitality of Sierra Leone.
