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Hon. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mme. Mamadi Kamara,
Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of the Parliament and Leaders of Political Parties,
Your Excellency Colleague Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Distinguished members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Good morning!
Welcome and thank you all for taking the time to attend this reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Over the past 73 years, under the staunch leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have united as one, overcome all kinds of challenges and forged ahead unswervingly in creating the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability for a long period of time.
China has explored a development path that suits China’s national conditions, established and continuously enriched the socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese people and the Chinese nation have experienced earth-shaking and gratifying changes.
The Chinese spirit, strength and wisdom has been widely praised by people around the world. China’s propositions, solutions and contributions to global affairs have been widely recognized by the international community. China’s future and the destiny of the world are more closely interconnected. China’s status and role as a responsible major country has had an increasingly significant impact on the evolution of the world landscape.
Against the backdrop of unprecedented changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has entered a new period of turbulence. What is regrettable and worrisome is the resurgence of Cold War mentality and bloc politics, the rise of hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism, the headwinds facing globalization, the unabated deficit of peace, development, trust, and governance, and the geopolitical tensions. Human society is standing at a new crossroad.
Facing the complex situation at home and abroad, China has been focusing on managing its own affairs well, mitigating the instability of the world by maintaining its own stability, and providing gravity and impetus for the global economic recovery by boosting its domestic development.
This year, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core and based on the historical achievements already made, the Chinese government and people have embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects. China is setting foot on a new development stage, implementing the new development philosophy and accelerating the establishment of a new development paradigm to drive high-quality development.
This year, China remains on the track of seeking progress while maintaining stability. In China, effective investment has continued to expand, market potential has been gradually released, household consumption has steadily increased, industrial production has further recovered, employment and prices have been stable, and technological advances have been fastened.
China’s economy is of great resilience, with huge potential and wide room for maneuver. The fundamentals of China’s long-term economic growth have not changed and will not change. China will continue to provide strong momentum for the stabilization and recovery of the world economy and offer broader market opportunities for other countries.
This year, China has continued to join hands with other countries in the world to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, practice true multilateralism, actively host or participate in important multilateral conferences such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and promote the building of an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.
At the same time, China has resolutely defended national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and effectively responded to serious provocations by external forces on so called human rights, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong-related issues and Taiwan Question. China’s appropriate and decisive actions have demonstrated the strong determination and concrete wills of the Chinese government and people, actively defending China’s legitimate rights and interests and upholding international fairness, justice and basic norms governing international relations.
Hon. Acting Minister kamara,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the African Union and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the African Union. China and Africa have continued to deepen their relationship and cooperation in the spirit of “sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, progress with times, openness and inclusiveness”.
Chinese leaders have kept close contacts with their African counterparts, and the Chinese government has vigorously promoted the implementation of the outcomes of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which brought about new and tangible benefits for the two sides.
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone. In July, H.E. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister Honorable David Francis, exchanged ideas in depth on the implementation of the important consensus reached by H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, and injected new energy into the further deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Sierra Leone.
This year, China-Sierra Leone cooperation in all areas such as education, human resources development, mining, agriculture, infrastructure construction, fight against COVID-19 pandemic, health and sanitation, peace and security has yielded laudable results.
This year, new batches of testing kits and COVID-19 vaccines donated by China have been delivered to Sierra Leone. China- aid mobile clinics have been put into use and benefiting tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans across the country. The reconstructed Wilberforce barracks has been commissioned. The rice aid, agricultural machinery, water bowsers, fire engines, engineering equipments and traffic boat donated by China have been transported to Sierra Leone.
Under the Chinese government assistance programs, the construction of the Foreign Service Academy is to be completed soon and the overhaul of the National Stadium is making smooth progress. Many more community development projects have been carried out for the well-being of the Sierra Leonean people.
This year, Sierra Leone, as always, has stood firm in adhering to the one-China principle and supporting China’s legitimate efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. In the international arena, Sierra Leone has been working closely with China on issues of common interests. It is of no doubt that China and Sierra Leone are reliable friends to each other.
Hon. Acting Minister kamara,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Two weeks from now on, the Communist Party of China will convene its 20th National Congress. It will be an important meeting to be held at a critical time as China embarks on a new journey toward its second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects.
At this congress, the Communist Party of China will fully review the major achievements made and valuable experiences gained in China’s reform and development endeavors. The Communist Party of China will also formulate programs of action and overarching policies to meet China’s new development goals on the journey ahead in the new era and the new expectations of the people. The Party will lead the Chinese people to forge ahead toward the bright prospect of the great national rejuvenation.
I firmly believe that, on the journey toward our respective goals, China and Sierra Leone will continue to treat each other with sincerity and mutual trust, work hand in hand for common development, and support each other in good faith. I’m convinced that the future of China-Sierra Leone friendship will be more shining and promising.
Last but not least, I wish to take this opportunity to reluctantly bid farewell to all of you, my Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters, dear friends from other countries, and my Chinese compatriots. Following the instruction from my headquarters, I will be leaving Sierra Leone today as I end my tenure of my duty here. I thank you for all your generous support and profound fraternity accorded to me.
I will miss you all. I will cherish each and every moment I spent in this beautiful country. I wish you greater success, prosperity and happiness!
In conclusion, I would like to propose a toast,
to the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,
to the prosperity of both China and Sierra Leone,
to the longevity of China-Sierra Leone friendship,
to the good health of all of you,
Cheers!
