232NEWS, FREETOWN
Dear teachers and students,
Good morning!
Welcome to the Chinese Embassy to attend the China-Africa space carnival.
The deep space always leaves people with infinite imagination. Humanity’s exploration of space has never stopped. China has actively carried out space exploration missions in recent years, including the launches of Chang’e lunar probes, the Mars probe Tianwen-1, and the solar exploration satellite Xihe, as well as the construction of the country’s space station Tiangong.
These missions have continuously deepened people’s understanding of the universe. At the same time, China is willing to work with all countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to jointly explore the mysteries of the universe, make peaceful use of the outer space, and promote space technology to better benefit people around the world.
Last year, we organized the event “Talk with Taikonauts – Q&A Session between the Shenzhou-14 Astronaut Crew and African Youths”. African youths expressed their interest in the field of space and aspiration to fly into space one day.
In March this year, we hosted a painting competition on the theme of “My Dream”, inviting African youth to record their hopes and dreams in paintings. The top 10 outstanding award-winning works will be sent to the Chinese Tiangong Space Station, and will be displayed live on global social network platforms. The event received a great deal of passionate interest and warm response from SL and other Africa countries. My Embassy also received dozens of entries. It is worth celebrating that Haja Fatu Turay’s painting was selected to the final in Beijing and won the “Meng Tian（梦天）” award (the third prize). On behalf of the Embassy, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to Haja, as well as the teachers of the Confucius Institute at the USL and all the students who participated in this competition.
In May this year, China launched the Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship, sending three astronauts to its space station combination for a five-month mission, completed a new round of in-orbit crew handover. The new astronauts who are Mr. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao brought the top 10 outstanding award-winning painting to space. Today they will display them to us and have another “Talk with Taikonauts” session with African youths.
All of these programs was specifically arranged for our African youth and are the new good stories of the cultural exchanges and people-to-people bond between China and Africa. Just like the Chinese youth, you are also ambitious and passionate dream-chasers. With your colorful paintings, I can feel you have expressed the best wishes for human progress, for a better world and for China-SL friendly cooperation. I hope and do believe this event will plant a seed of hope and motivation in the hearts of young SL. We also hope Sierra Leonean students to study hard in science and technology, have the opportunity to engage in international exchanges and cooperation in the future, and make your dream of outer space come into true one day. I hope that all teachers and students enjoy today’s Event.
