By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, June 24 (232News) – The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone H.E. Hu Zhangliang hosted an online symposium on the Great Achievements of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the Past 100 years.
The online symposium which took place yesterday 22nd June, 2021 celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China” were co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
Speakers ranging from Chinese officials, government of Sierra Leone officials, friendship organizations, the media and well-wishers expressed how China has transformed over the years under the CPC.
They described the 100 years of the party as worth celebrating because it has place China as the second world largest economy.
Ambassador Hu Zhangliang said 100 years ago, the CPC was founded with only 50 plus members.
Today, it has grown into the largest political party in the world with more than 91 million members.
Over the past 100 years, the CPC has developed from an emerging political force dedicated to saving the Chinese nation and people to a political party that has been in power for 72 years with rich governance experience and great accomplishments.
He said over the past 100 years, the CPC had rallied and led the Chinese people in toppling the “Three Mountains” of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism that were oppressing them, defeating the ferocious Japanese imperialist aggressors, overthrowing the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang regime, and founding the People’s Republic of China whereby the people become the masters of their own destinies.
Over the past 100 years, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in carrying out socialist revolution and socialist construction with notable achievements, launching the great new revolution of reform and opening up and blazing out a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, transforming the poor and weak old China into an increasingly prosperous and powerful new China, and thus opening completely new horizons for the great national rejuvenation.
The Chinese nation, after enduring so much for so long, has achieved a great leap from standing up and getting rich to becoming powerful.
“The CPC has been pursuing exchanges and cooperation with political parties and organizations from all countries and regions on the basis of independence, complete equality, mutual respect, and mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, so as to promote the development of state-to-state relations.
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) upholds the philosophy of equality, inclusiveness and development results shared by all as embodied in its motto “One People, One Country”.
It bears resemblance to the CPC’s goal of remaining committed to serving the people, relying on the people and ensuring that all the fruits of development are shared by the people.”
He continues to say over the past several decades, the CPC and the SLPP have conducted fruitful friendly exchanges and cooperation, which effectively contributed to the development of China-Sierra Leone bilateral relations.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the SLPP, as well as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sierra Leone.
Last month, H.E. President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with H.E. President Julius Maada Bio. The two leaders reached new and important consensus on developing our bilateral relations.
Recently, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity of SLPP leader, sent a warm congratulatory message to H.E. General Secretary President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese side cherishes its cordial relations with the Sierra Leonean side. China stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone in all fields and steadily push the relations between the two parties and the two countries to new heights.
The National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party and also the Deputy Minister of Justice Umaru Napoleon Koroma conveyed Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio greetings and congratulated President Xi Jinping and the China’s CPC on their 100 years’ celebration.
He continued to say China under the CPC has shown that there is a great road map and they have done lot of work.
She said Sierra Leone and China have enjoyed lot of benefits which was made possible for the relationship to change from friend to brotherhood.
“China has come to be a reliable partner to Sierra Leone since the friendship started.”
He highlighted some of the giant moved taken by China for Sierra Leone which includes the construction of the National Stadium in Freetown in 1977 and the gift of a nine stories building Youyi building which is currently hosting most of the government ministries which was constructed in 1980. Mobility with vehicle during Sierra Leone civil war and the Covid-19 supports.
“The contribution to Sierra Leone are invaluable and immeasurable. SLPP expresses their profound thanks and appreciation to China and we will continue to share the stripe as CPC and SLPP share the same value”
Sierra Leone acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mamadi Gobeh Kamara said 50 years on the two countries have experienced remarkable growth, frequent high level exchanges and a large partnership through south-south cooperation.
She said the strategic partnership, mutual trust and cooperation among others have contributed greatly in their relationship.
Madam Kamara went on to say the development goal of Sierra Leone has been profitable impacted as China continues to provide technical support since the Covid-19 started.
“Sierra Leone has been one of China major direct investment since the friendship started.”
She spoke about the foreign service academy which will serve as a bridge for Sierra Leone forging service.
Presentation were made by Professor Li Xiaohan of the Beijing Administrative College and Professor Lunyn Xie of the Remin University of China who spoke about policies and practices, institutional arrangement and China experience in poverty eradication to rural revitalization from China.
Contributions were made by Alhaji Mustapha Javombo, Sierra Leone China Foundation, Mohamed Massaquoi of SLPP, Sierra Leone China Friendship Association (SiLCHA) and Mariatu Kargbo from China.
