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Minister Nabeela Tunis and H.E Hu Zhangliang Tour Proposed Foreign Service Academy Building Site

Foreign Service Academy Building site at Tower Hill

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis and His Excellency Ambassador Hu Zhangliang on Monday 23rd December, 2019 conducted a tour of the proposed Foreign Service Academy Building site at Tower Hill, Freetown.

Speaking about the contribution of the Chinese Government in the construction of the Academy, Amb. Hu Zhangliang recalled His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s statement in May, 2019 during the State Opening of Parliament when he emphasized the need to establish a Foreign Service Academy to train Sierra Leone’s diplomats.

Amb. Hu Zhangliang said China was very pleased to be able to assist with the construction of the Sierra Leone Foreign Service Academy.

He also said China had already sent in an advance Technical Team which conducted a feasibility study few months ago and that the second team has arrived to conduct a geological survey of the Tower Hill site.

His Excellency Hu Zhangliang went on to state that, China and Sierra Leone have been enjoying a very profound traditional relationship since the two countries officially established diplomatic bond in the 1960s.

He said the bilateral relationship between the two countries has been cordial with trust and fruitful cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields. The Chinese Government, he said, has offered a lot of short course training programmes for Sierra Leoneans and that this year, have offered to Sierra Leoneans over 100 scholarship opportunities to study in the People’s Republic of China. He concluded by thanking the Government and people of Sierra Leone for supporting China at the international level.

 

The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Tunis in her response thanked the President of China His Excellency Xi Jiping, Government and People of the People’s Republic of China on behalf of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Government and People of Sierra Leone for the continued generosity to the Government and People of the Republic of Sierra Leone. She thanked the Chinese Government for the opportunities that have been extended to Sierra Leone and also expressed appreciation for the support given to China by Sierra Leone on various fronts. She assured that Sierra Leone will ensure it plays its part to sustain the level of cooperation between the two sister countries.

 

Minister Tunis said the tour at the site was very significant and that the construction of the National Foreign Service Academy will be of essence to Sierra Leoneans and other nationals from the sub-region and beyond.

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)