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Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Holds Fruitful Discussions with China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Holds Fruitful Discussions with China's State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Press Release

The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, Mrs Nabeela Tunis, on 31st July 2020 had a tele-meeting with her China’s State Councilor Wang Yi. Minister Tunis in her initial remarks, reassured Councilor H. E. Wang Yi of Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to further strengthen the diplomatic ties that have existed between the two countries for nearly half a century.

Minister Tunis described China as a reliable partner to Sierra Leone’s socioeconomic development drive, and reiterated Sierra Leone’s commitment to continue working closely with China to achieve goals and objectives that are of common and shared  interest and  mutually beneficial to both countries, especially in the international arena.

Minister Tunis highlighted the current challenge that COVID-19 continues to pose to the development ambitions of the Government and appealed to her Chinese counterpart to consider working with the Government of Sierra Leone in investing in Education, agriculture, promotion of local industry, fisheries, and technology transfer.

In response, the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, H. E Mr Wang Yi, reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening the mutual trust and friendship that continues to flourish between the two countries. Minister Wang also reaffirmed China’s continued commitment to working with the government of Sierra Leone to defeat COVID-19, as well as to assist the country to recover from the economic setback caused by the pandemic.

Minister Wang disclosed that the Chinese Government will tap into special funds set aside for Africa to help Sierra Leone promote its development objectives in Education, health, agriculture, fisheries, and other areas. H.E., Councilor Wang Yi further informed of his government’s willingness to sign a cooperation agreement with Sierra Leone on implementing the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

Councilor Wang Yi and Minister Tunis agreed that the two countries should engage in proper planning and execution of cooperation agreements as diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and China approach 50 years.

He concluded by confirming China’s willingness to work with African countries including Sierra Leone, for the advancement of common interests in the international fora.

 

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SIGNED 

Alimatu Fofanah

Head of Section Media and Public Relations Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

OAU Drive, Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Website: www.mofaic.gov.sl

Email: media@mofaic.gov.sl

Contact: +232 78 861 822/77 713 939