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The outgoing Chinese Ambassador in Sierra Leone, Hu Zhangliang has said that the Chinese spirit, strength and wisdom has been widely praised by people around the world.
He made this statement during the reception marking the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China on Friday 30th September 2022, at China House, Old Railway Line, Brookfield’s in Freetown.
“The Chinese spirit, strength and wisdom have been widely praised by people around the world and 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,” he said.
The outgoing Chinese Ambassador said over the past 73 years, under the staunch leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have been united as one, overcoming all kinds of challenges and forging ahead unswervingly in creating the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability for a long period of time.
Mr. Hu Zhangliang underscored that China has explored a development path that suits China’s national conditions, established and continuously enriched the socialism with Chinese characteristics, adding that the Chinese people and the Chinese nation have experienced earth-shaking and gratifying changes.
“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,” he said.
He continued that China remains on the track of seeking progress while maintaining stability, he added that 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.
Chinese Ambassador said 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 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. This year also marks the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone,” he said.
Mr. Hu Zhangliang noted that 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 have yielded laudable results.
He said this year, new batches of testing kits and COVID-19 vaccines donated by China have been delivered to Sierra Leone and the China-aid mobile clinics have been put into use and benefiting tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans across the country, adding that the reconstructed Wilberforce barracks has been commissioned, the rice aid, agricultural machinery, water bowsers, fire engines, engineering equipment 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,” he stated.
He noted that Sierra Leone has always stood firm in adhering to the one-China principle and supporting China’s legitimate efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
“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 am convinced that the future of China and Sierra Leone friendship will be more shining and promising. I wish to take this opportunity to reluctantly bid farewell to you all as I will be leaving Sierra Leone today as I end my tenure of my duty here,” he said.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mamadi Gobeh Kamara congratulated China on its 73rd National Day and the country’s desire to achieve greatness, for having one of the largest economies in the world, reducing poverty in addition to deepening its influence globally and emerging in technology, trade and science.
She furthered that the friendship between China and Sierra Leone is complementary, that Sierra Leone is grateful for the support that the Chinese government have been given to the country, adding that during this 73 years, China’s journey to Global Leadership in the fields of trade, and investment, peace, security and development can be best described as magnificent and the show of extra ordinary resilience.
She said Sierra Leone has enjoyed cordial and special relationship with China spanning over 50 years and recalled the last visit of President Julius Maada Bio to China where the two leaders held fruitful discussions and also the visit of the Chinese President’s Special Envoy to Sierra Leone in 2019 has further increased trust and mutual respect between the two countries.
According to Madam Gobeh Kamara, Sierra Leone and China will continue to work together for the prosperity and socio-economic development of the two countries.
