Sierra Leone Embassy in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has successfully celebrated 50 years of uninterrupted diplomatic ties between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China.
The celebration started with a Youth Symposium on 27th July 2021, which targeted over 200 Africa/Chinese Youths and on to 28th July 2021 with indoor and outdoor games with the exhibition of the culture of both countries.
The celebration continued in the morning till noon of the 29th July 2021 at the Chinese-African Peoples Friendship Association Hall, hosted by H.E. Ms. Li Bin who doubles as Vice Chairperson of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Chinese-African Peoples Friendship Association including H.E. Lin Son Tian who is President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Also in attendance was H.E. Wu Peng, Director General in the Department for Africa Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Ambassadors from the ECOWAS Region.
Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina who delivered the keynote address flows on: “It is an immense honour and infinite pleasure for me and my staff to commune with you today, on this auspicious 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). However, since this august gathering follows closely on the heels of the centenary of the Communist Party of China, permit me to use this rostrum to re-echo my heartiest congratulations to the Party for its ground breaking and historic achievements, by eradicating absolute poverty on such a magnitude and timeframe. The Communist Party of China (CPC) has set a record that will certainly remain unparalleled for several millennia in the annals of the history of development. Once more congratulations to the CPC and its entire Leadership.
The Ambassador echoed that five decades ago, two visionary leaders: President Siaka Probyn Stevens and Chairman Mao Zedong; took the memorable decision to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level; between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China. Due to the chasm and the bitter Cold War animosities, this decision generated much apprehension, especially within the young state of Sierra Leone which was putatively Pro-Western. China too, was also commencing a new chapter in its diplomatic rapprochement with Africa. Hence, under those circumstances, it is obvious that there was deep political cautioning and trepidation on the path of both partners.
Ambassador Ndomahina Commended the courage, tenacity and resilience of the pioneers and early bridge-builders of the relationship; such as H.E. Zhao Zhengyi, Pioneer Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone and H.E. Dr. R.E.K Taylor-Smith, Pioneer Ambassador of Sierra Leone to China. These men did not simply espouse the vision of their Leaders, but readily braved the uncertainties of that era, and sowed the seeds of this relationship that we are celebrating today.
I equally wish to laud the several generations of Sierra Leonean and Chinese diasporas, who have spontaneously received and passed on the relay batons that have been handed down to them by those pioneers. In this regard, I am referring to the Chinese paramedics, businessmen and project workers in Sierra Leone, as well as several Sierra Leone students, trainees and petty traders that are dispersed throughout China.
These ordinary men and women on both sides of the curtain, have regularly provided the substrate and vital ingredients that have sustained the ties that bind our two countries. They have readily been braving and enduring contemporary challenges such as the Sierra Leone civil war, its Ebola epidemic, its mudslide and the current COVID-19 Pandemic. They are truly some of the unproclaim heroes of this friendship, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their resilience. As a famous Chinese saying goes, “Friendship between Peoples is the driving force of inter-state relations.”
He furthered on the dawn of these relations, as certain stakeholders could hardly understand the binding force between two Governments and Peoples that are mutually so contrasting especially in terms of their geography and culture. Nevertheless, with the highly diversified and vibrant friendship, it is clear that what binds these apparently incompatible Governments is their shared vision and aspiration in their zeal to enhance the welfare of their respective Peoples through mutual assistance. This current, runs through the blood of our Peoples. It has provided the glue that has bonded our two countries and injected the energy that has constantly propelled them along that common course. Summarily, our rapprochement has enhanced our mutual understanding, thereby enabling our two countries to grasp and brave some of the complex realities of contemporary international politics.
This largely explains Sierra Leone’s legendary and constant support to China in global forums such as the United Nations.
In fact, Sierra Leone was one of the twenty-one African Countries that co-sponsored and voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 that recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as “the sole legitimate representative of China at the United Nations.”
Sierra Leone has remained a faithful and strong proponent of the “One-China Policy.” This accounts for Sierra Leone’s support for the reunification of Hong Kong with the PRC, and her resolute support for “Cross Straits Dialogue” between the PRC and Taiwan.
In other multilateral forums such as the UN Human Rights Council, she has consistently condemned and opposed various moves to brand some of China’s domestic policies as human rights violations. Such resolute stands, emanated from Sierra Leone’s deep understanding of China’s domestic realities and its existential challenges.
“Our robust partnership extends well beyond the confines and glamour of international forums. A glance at Sierra Leone’s landscape will definitely reveal some of the magnificent fruits of this diplomatic intercourse. It would be highly cumbrous trying to provide a comprehensive description of the landscape, since this would be highly voluminous, complex and might still run the risk of omissions.
“Nevertheless, permit me to highlight just some of the most distinctive ones that have illuminated and reshaped the skyline of Sierra Leone”, Ambassador Ndomahina said.
Prominent amongst these are the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown, the multipurpose stadium in Bo, the Dodo hydroelectric scheme in Kenema and the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Road. The construction of state-of-the-art facilities such as the Friendship Building or the Youyi Ministerial Complex, the Foreign Ministry building and the China–Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital at Jui in Freetown. All have enriched and profoundly transformed the scenic beauties that are regularly displayed on some of our national post cards.
Currently, there is an impressive number of Sierra Leoneans that are studying in China on Chinese Government scholarships. In fact, well over 1000 Sierra Leonean students have studied in China, while more than 200 Sierra Leonean functionaries or trainees travel to China annually for professional courses.
More than 20 batches of Chinese medical teams have served in Sierra Leone. One of the peak of this humanitarian and medical gestures was reached during the West African Ebola epidemic of 2014, which seriously affected Sierra Leone.
H.E. President Xi Jinping of China was the first Head of State to explicitly respond to the distress call for help from Sierra Leone. In this regard, China undertook one of its largest ever humanitarian missions in addressing public health emergencies of international concern. The People’s Liberation Army subsequently developed the first drug for treating Ebola.
“As you may have just realised, it has been a long and silent journey by two mutually supportive friends, whose journey started through very modest and low profile undertakings, such as the dispatch of medics and equipment to rural settings in Sierra Leone.
Today, the Pair is tackling headlong, majestic mega projects such as the ones highlighted above. At this ripe age of fifty, permit me to paraphrase the ancient Chinese Philosopher, Confucius who said that: “At fifty, [Sierra Leone and China now know the mandate of heaven.” This golden jubilee sets the pace for consolidating our current achievements and to outline new grounds of our cooperation,” continued the Ambassador.
This topic had already been broached in 2016, when our two Governments signed the “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” The ideas in that Document have been crystalized by Sierra Leone’s Head of State: H.E Dr. Julius Maada Bio; into a strategic infrastructural blueprint, dubbed “The Presidential Infrastructure Initiative (PII).”
The realisation of this flagship Initiative will permit Sierra Leone to rebuild its war torn and derelict infrastructure, thereby transforming her economy into middle-income status and self-sufficiency by 2035.
I wish to heartily laud the Government and People of China for espousing this vision, and displaying their legendary commitment to the initiative. This is already very evident in their realisation of the Myohaung Officers’ Mess at the Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown and the projected fishing habour at Black Johnson in Freetown.
However, there is a popular African saying that “when a man publicly appreciates a gesture, it is a subtle way of requesting for more of it,” Ambassador skilfully said. In this light, Sierra Leone is entreating China for more support, he added.
“There is still much more room for cooperation under the Initiative, which is not just an infrastructural Plan. It is also a Master Plan for poverty alleviation. Therefore, Sierra Leone is looking forward to consolidating and broadening our partnership in a significant number of strategic areas. Through our enhanced cooperation under the Initiative, China would certainly export her poverty alleviation miracle to Sierra Leone.
The magnificent achievements that we have recorded over this last fifty years, reassures me that we shall live up to the expectations and challenges of the Initiative. Therefore, I am looking forward to the dawn of several generations of glorious collaboration, prosperity and friendship between our Governments and Peoples.
Long-live Sierra Leone-China!
In short, under the visionary leadership of our Great Leaders: H.E President Xi Jinping and H.E President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, our bilateral relations have always been profound and healthy, and will certainly endure through the ages.
I join Her Excellency Lin bin to celebrate our past achievements while also casting our eyes on the future. Cheers!” Echoed, Ambassador Ndomahina
The celebration was climaxed with a gala dinner attended by over sixty Ambassadors and their spouses. Mr. Zhouping; Deputy Director General of African Affairs of International Department, Central Committee of CPC-Mr. Wang Xueyong; Secretary of political and Legal Committee and Deputy Secretary of municipal Party committee of Changsha city, Mr Kan Baoyong; Deputy Mayor of Ganzhou City- Mr. Zhang Peng, Ambassador Ndomahina concluded.
Dispatched by:
Brima Dawson Kuyateh
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy In Beijing,
Peoples Republic of China.
