Zhang Xueqian, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone

Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Zhang Xueqian has reiterated China’s commitment to helping to nurture talents in various fields for Sierra Leone. Addressing government officials and other key stakeholders in various professional fields at a reception of the China-aid Human Resource Government Program in Freetown over the weekend, Zhang noted that China would continue to ensure further support and strengthen ties with not only Sierra Leone but countries around the world, with the primary aim of sharing common prosperity. 

In 2018, more than 1,000 Sierra Leoneans were sent to China for short-term training seminars, over sixty applicants were granted MOFCOM scholarships, and two batches of Chinese specialists visited Sierra Leone to share their professional experience in pottery and police skills respectively. Beneficiaries of the programs include not only government officials, but also doctors, teachers, journalists and farmers from all walks of life.

Lusine Kallon, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Youth Minister

This year, the Chinese Authorities in Sierra Leone have pledged to deepen bilateral human resource development and cooperation with Sierra Leone. They’ll soon wrap up the arrangement for this year’s short-term training programs; the interviews for the MOFCOM scholarship is ongoing, and more Chinese specialists will be invited to Sierra Leone to carry out vocational skills training in pottery making and stitching. 

“Talent cultivation is of great significance for national development. I believe, with the joint effort of China and Sierra Leone, the bilateral human resource development and cooperation will undoubtedly facilitate transferring population potential and cooperation into real force of development, and thus will promote social stability and economic growth of Sierra Leone. We are committed to deepening cultural exchange, traditional bilateral friendship and forge closer people to people ties,” counselor Zhang Xueqian assured.

Chinese and Sierra Leonean authorities

Ha Yu, Director of Human Development Programs of the China-aid Human Resource Government Program, said China has been providing constant assistance to developing countries under the framework of the South-South cooperation since the 1950s and added that millions of people in over 180 countries have benefited from MOFCOM programs. “We are committed to providing further support to developing nations. Let us build the bridge of friendship between China and Sierra Leone,” he said. 

During the event, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Lusine Kallon said his government had created the platform for youth to serve themselves and represent themselves in national governance and policy design to fit their desires.

Officials at the China-aid Human Resource Government Program reception held on Saturday 15th June 2019, in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital.

China, he said, has helped to strengthen Sierra Leone’s medical and health infrastructure. “China has sent more medical personnel for advanced training; China has contributed to fishing and agriculture development; China has given and continues to give more scholarships to young people; China has taken the lead in our infrastructural development as well as the promoting of our human resources development,” Kallon revealed.