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China Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. Hu Zhangliang Calls on Deputy Foreign Minister

China Ambassador to Sierra Leone Calls on Deputy Foreign Minister

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sierra Leone Mr. Hu Zhangliang paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara on Friday 21st May 2021.

In his remarks the Chinese envoy was grateful that the Deputy Minister had agreed to meet him at short notice. He also stated that China was grateful to the Government of Sierra Leone for its support of the One China Policy and also on issues relating to China in the Human rights Council.

He then went on to brief Minister Mamadi Gobeh Kamara on the telephone exchange between H.E. President Julius Maada Bio and President Xi Jinping held on 7th May 2021 in which the two leaders discussed how to further build on the already close relationship between the two countries, against the backdrop of the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and China.

The Ambassador was thus hopeful that, the Ministry will provide the necessary support to commemorate this historic milestone.

Ambassador Hu further highlighted that since 2018, China has completed 15 projects and another 15 were being currently implemented with a number of other projects under discussion.

He informed the Deputy Minister that China is ready to provide another batch of 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

In addition, the Ambassador informed that the Chinese Embassy had prepared a list of proposed training programmes for Sierra Leone including training for Diplomats, for the approval of the Government of Sierra Leone. He was hopeful that the the training programmes will recommend in an in-person format in 2022.

He thanked the Government for its strong support for the Fish Harbour project despite the unfounded misconceptions about the project.

The Chinese Ambassador was aware of concerns about the conduct of certain Chinese nationals who are considered as miscreants but stressed that over 95% of Chinese Nationals resident in the country were respectful of the laws of Sierra Leone.

Finally, the Ambassador informed the Deputy Minister that on the 19th May 2021 that the Chinese Foreign Minister on behalf of China together with some African countries launched the “Initiative on Partnership for Africa’s Development”.

The initiative aims to support post-Covid reconstruction, development, and revitalization in Africa. He was hopeful that all African countries and other International partners will join in this initiative.

In her response, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation thanked the Ambassador for paying the courtesy call on her and recalled that she had met with the Ambassador in her previous capacity as Deputy Minister of Information.

She informed the Ambassador that the Government of Sierra Leone was appreciative of the support of China to the development of the country the evidence of which was clear for all to see.

Deputy Minister Gobeh Kamara further thanked the Government of China for the support provided to Sierra Leone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic noting that China was one of the first countries to provide such support.

She assured Ambassador Hu that the Ministry will provide the necessary support needed to ensure a successful commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Kamara further noted that Sierra Leone has over the years supported China on issues of mutual concern in various Multilateral Fora and was hopeful that Sierra Leone and China will continue to work together and collaborate and consult with each other in order to succeed together.

The Deputy Minister also thanked the Chinese Ambassador for his efforts in ensuring the speedy conclusion of the Diplomatic Academy project.

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(Press Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)