Ambassador Qiu Shaofang of the Peoples’ Republic of China has noted that the cooperation between China and Sierra Leone has been consistently strengthened.
Speaking at the 59th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China last Thursday at his official residence, he noted further that, “the old projects like Youyi Building, National Stadium, Headquarters of Army and Police and Dodo Hydro station are still benefiting Sierra Leoneans and marking the history of our friendship.”
Ambassador Shaofang went on, “the new projects like the modern hospital in Freetown, two schools in Freetown and Bombali District respectively, the Bo Stadium and the new office building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation are now under construction or design by the Chinese and they would form a new chapter of our friendship.”
This year, he said, “we have enrolled twenty-eight (28) students to study in China with full government scholarships and conducted short training courses in China for 113 officials and technicians from different sectors of Sierra Leone.”
A delighted Ambassador Shaofang notified his guests about his country’s first attempt to space walk through the successful launching of Shezhou -7, and however observed that “we are fully aware that speed itself is by no means the entire content of development.”
He also noted that China would hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation as well as adhere to the independent foreign policy of peace, and make efforts to build a harmonious world.
Responding on behalf of the government was Vandi Minah, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, who lauded the Chinese for their remarkable strides they have made towards the development of the country