China Celebrates 76th Anniversary
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) through it embassy in Freetown celebrated in a grand reception the 76th anniversary of the founding of PRC.
Below is an extract of Ambassador Wang Qing speech:
“It’s a great pleasure to be joined by all of you to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to you, and through you to people from across the Sierra Leone society for your longstanding support to the development of China-Sierra Leone relations. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my cordial greetings and best wishes to all Chinese compatriots working and living in Sierra Leone!
The founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 embarked upon a new era in China’s history. In the last 76 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have driven the great transformation of the nation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course. Today a more dynamic China with a strong sense of responsibility to human progress and world harmony are providing much-needed stability and certainty to a turbulent and uncertain world. It’s fair to say that every increase of China’ strength is an increase of the prospects of world peace and development.
We remain the key engine of global economic growth. In the first half of 2025, despite the challenges posed by global economic headwinds and escalating trade frictions, China’s GDP grew by 5.3 per cent year-on-year, demonstrating remarkable resilience and vitality. We have deepened the implementation of our innovation-driven development strategy and fostered new drivers for growth such as the digital economy, Artificial Intelligence and new energy vehicles. Our progress towards high-quality development has become increasingly steady.
We play a pivotal role in free trade and economic globalization. China’s overall tariff level has been reduced to 7.3%. That’s one of the lowest in the world. We are also steadily expanding institutional opening up in rules, regulations, management, standards, and implementing policies for high-standard trade and investment liberalization. Particularly, we are introducing more unilateral opening-up policies to the least developed countries, including granting zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines. China unequivocally opposes to the abuse of tariffs, not only defending our legitimate rights and interests but also safeguarding the multilateral trading system, and upholding international fairness and justice.
We have always been a constructive force for world peace and stability. China has worked to explore a Chinese approach of addressing hotspot issues, one that upholds objectivity and impartiality, seeks political settlement through peaceful negotiation, aims to address both the symptoms and the root causes. With these principles, China had played a constructive role in addressing Ukraine Crisis, Palestine-Israel Conflict, Thailand-Cambodia conflict and facilitate the Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation. So far, China has sent more than 50,000 peacekeepers to 25 missions. That makes us the biggest contributor of military personnel among the P5 of the UN Security Council. Earlier this month, China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This event aims to promote a correct view of World War II history, safeguard the hard-won fruits of victory and join hands with all peoples around the world in creating a better future.
We are committed to contributing to improving global governance. The world today is confronted by myriad threats and challenges, whose solution urgently requires improved global governance. Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative(GGI) at the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, and clearly articulated the core concepts of the GGI, namely, adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international law, practice multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions. This initiative further contributes Chinese wisdom and proposes Chinese solutions for building a more just and equitable global governance system.
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, China and Sierra Leone have always been good friends and partners, good brothers and sisters. Our bilateral ties stand as a model of solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa. Under the guidance of the two heads of states, our relationship has achieved further significant progress in recent years. Last year, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio visited China twice and reached important consensus with President Xi Jinping on deepening the China-Sierra Leone Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Through our joint efforts, we are making solid progress in delivering on all the common understanding of our two heads of state, giving a strong boost to our practical cooperation in various sectors.
Our political mutual trust continues to deepen. On issues concerning each other’s core interests, we have always stood firmly together. China highly appreciates Sierra Leone’s unwavering adherence to the One-China principle, its resolute opposition to any form of ‘Taiwan independence’, and its firm support for all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.
Our practical cooperation has yielded more fruitful results. This year, we jointly launched the first shipment of Sierra Leone wild aquatic products to China. That means access to one of the largest and fastest growing seafood market in the world and more revenue and job opportunities. We handed over 1,500 tonnes of rice to Sierra Leone Government, demonstrating China’s consistent support for Sierra Leone’s ‘Feed Salone’ strategy. The 30MTPA Magnetite Processing Plant of Iron Ore in Tokolili and the Maforki Port, which were commissioned by H.E. President Julius Madda Bio and invested by Chinese companies were put into operation, injecting new energy into Sierra Leone’s infrastructure and economic development. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the victory of our joint fighting against Ebola, China made quick response and helped to fight against Mpox through providing emergency humanitarian assistance and technical support by our medical experts team here, once again demonstrating our profound friendship and the spirit of “a friend in need is a friend in deed”.
Our coordination on international affairs has been close and efficient. Both China and Sierra Leone are now members of the UN Security Council. We maintain close coordination and collaboration on major international and regional issues within the Council and other multilateral institutions. China supports Sierra Leone in fulfilling its duties as Coordinator of the C10, supports making special arrangements on the U.N. Security Council reform to meet Africa’s aspiration as a priority and supports redressing the historical injustice done to Africa. I would also like to once again extend my warm congratulations to Sierra Leone on its successful election as Chair of the ECOWAS and as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council.
Our people to people exchange has grown ever closer. This year, 121 Sierra Leonean students have successfully secured various Chinese government scholarships, over 500 Sierra Leoneans from diverse sectors have participated in short-term exchange and training programs in China and nearly 5,000 Sierra Leoneans have obtained visas to visit China for tourism, business, and other purposes.
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,
Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone. China stands ready to work with Sierra Leone to continue implementing the important consensus reached by our two heads of state. We will consolidate our friendship through enhancing the exchanges, deepening and expanding our mutual benefit cooperation. I look forward to working with Sierra Leone Government and people to continually enrich the significance of our Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, elevate our bilateral relations to new heights, so as to bring more benefits to people of both countries!
Finally, please allow me the honor to propose a toast
To the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,
To the shared development and prosperity of China and Sierra Leone, and greater happiness of our two peoples,
To the everlasting friendship between our two countries,
And to the health of all our friends present here and your families,
Cheers!
