New Chinese Ambassador Hu Zhangliang has given his first insight into the relationship between China and Sierra Leone, saying that he is delighted to be back in Sierra Leone during this beautiful mid-spring season, bringing his wishes from the Chinese Government.

“First of all, I would like to convey the cordial greetings and best wishes from H.E. Xi Jinping, President of China to his counterpart Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. At the same time, I bring with me good wishes from the Chinese government and people to the government and people of Sierra Leone.”

Hu said China and Sierra Leone enjoy a deep friendship. On July 29, 1971, the two countries formally established diplomatic ties, and over the past 48 years, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly with high-level exchanges, deep political mutual trust, and fruitful cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields. He said in 2016, China and Sierra Leone established a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

“Over the years, China has been contributing what she can to help promote peace and stability in Sierra Leone, as well as help Sierra Leone in achieving independent and sustainable development without interfering in their internal affairs. In 2014, China was among the first to assist their Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters in the fight against Ebola, demonstrating the true spirit of sharing wealth and woe.”

The new ambassador said that Sierra Leone has always firmly supported China on issues related to its core interests and major concerns. The Chinese people will never forget that it was Sierra Leone and other friendly countries that helped China resume its legitimate seat in the United Nations in 1971.

“2018 has been a vital year in the development of the Sino-Sierra Leone relationship. In late August and early September last year, President Bio paid a state visit to China and attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The two heads of state held friendly and in-depth talks and reached important consensus on major bilateral issues, which provided political guidance and set out the blueprint for the development of China-Sierra Leone relations," he said.

He added that during the visit, the two sides signed several important cooperation documents including the Memorandum of Understanding on the “Belt and Road” Initiative, laying a solid foundation for the broadening and deepening of cooperation in the future.

Ambassador Hu has a sense of great responsibility in his new role, following the direction set out by the two heads of state, to work with his colleagues in the Embassy and friends from all walks of life in Sierra Leone, to make new progress in China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation and produce more benefits for the people of both nations. He said the following three tasks would be his top priorities.

“Firstly, I want to continuously enhance the sincere friendship and political mutual trust between our two sides to make the foundation of our bilateral cooperation as solid as ever. The Chinese side will continue to follow the two major principles laid down by President Xi Jinping, namely, the principle of honoring sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and that of pursuing the greater good and shared interests among countries.”

Secondly, the Ambassador said they would jointly implement the outcomes of 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit to bring more benefits to the two peoples. In September last year, FOCAC Beijing Summit was held with great success, lifting China-Africa relations to a historic high. He noted that during the summit, President Xi Jinping announced “Eight Major Initiatives” for China-Africa cooperation in the coming three years, namely, industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity building, health care, people-to-people exchange, and peace and security. The “Eight Major Initiatives” highly correspond with Africa's current and future development needs, and for that reason, many Africans have likened it to a “timely rain” in supporting Africa's independent and sustainable development.

“Thirdly, we will jointly promote the building of the Belt and Road, build an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future for humanity. As stressed by President Xi Jinping, the BRI is a significant move China has taken to open itself under the new conditions fully, and it embodies China’s commitment to sharing development opportunities and outcomes with more countries in the world."

He noted that since its inception six years ago, the BRI has received warm support from the international community. So far, a total of 126 countries and 29 international organizations have signed BRI cooperation documents with China.

Ambassador Hu Zhangliang said although certain countries and people have misunderstandings, misjudgments or even prejudices in regards to the BRI, the international community’s enthusiasm for this initiative will not be hampered. The BRI, he said, is a new “headstream of fresh water” for China-Africa cooperation that will bring more development resources and create greater room for collaboration from both sides.

China and Sierra Leone have already made strides under the initiative, including, but not limited to, the exchange of development experiences and admission of a large number of Sierra Leonean students to study in China with an increase in scholarships. He said the construction of part of the Freetown Ring Road (From Limkokwing University to Regent Village) funded by a Chinese government grant, and the development of the Lumley Market Second Juba Bridge, co-funded by the two governments, are examples of the great cooperation potential between China and Sierra Leone within the framework of the BRI.

“I worked in Sierra Leone for three years from 2002 to 2005. Fourteen years later I am back again and find out that there have been so many important positive changes in this country, which fully demonstrate that the government and people of Sierra Leone are on the right path towards development and revitalization. I sincerely wish that Sierra Leone and its people will continue to make even greater achievements under the leadership of President Bio. I am full of confidence in the broad prospects of Sino-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation," he concluded.