In an exclusive interview with Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Kuang Weilin at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown on Tuesday, 13th August instant, he emphatically stated that the people of Sierra Leone “are desperate for development for which they can’t wait any longer.”
The Ambassador said if the government had been working with them (Chinese) in earnest, “we would have done more for Sierra Leone. China understands what Sierra Leone is going through and what the needs of the people are.” He said China is ready to help Sierra Leone develop at a faster rate by which the people would live better lives.
Ambassador Weilin who has been in Sierra Leone for over two years said his stay in the country so far “has been prosperous and peaceful” revealing that he has enjoyed every bit of time working with Sierra Leoneans to develop their country. He said his relationship with the government “has been cordial and great” as there has been no misunderstanding between the two countries, “instead the relationship has witnessed steady growth.”
Talking about President Koroma, he said the President has visited China four times; once as an opposition Member of Parliament and thrice as President.
“The president’s latest visit to China was very important as Sierra Leone was able to gain many investments and other development assistance from China. I was very happy for that visit because of what I know Sierra Leone will benefit,” the Ambassador stated.
Expressing his opinion on the relationship between China and Sierra Leone, he said the Sino-Sierra Leone relationship has been very fruitful for the past 42 years since it was initiated by the late President Siaka Stevens.
“I think both countries have benefitted immensely from this relationship. I wish to thank late President Stevens who started this wonderful relationship for his foresight. The relationship has grown very strong and healthy over the years,” the Ambassador said, while noting that his delight for being part of the history of cordial relationship between the two countries.
On the question of the relationship between the two countries; He said since the relationship started, China has done so much for Sierra Leone in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and education. He went on to mention some of these developments to include, the National Stadium, the Cockeril Military Headquarters, Youyi building, Magbass Sugar complex as some of the projects that Sierra Leone has benefitted from through the existing relationship. He said the country continues to benefit from the relation through development projects some of which he noted have completed which include the newly built Foreign Affairs building at Tower Hill.
He disclosed that the new Foreign Affairs building will soon be handed over to the Government and that the only thing holding that now is the arrival of the transformer which is expected in September. He said the building is a modern construction that is in line with international standards. “The people of Sierra Leone should be proud of it as a boost to the country’s image,” the Ambassador urged and hoped that the building will be well taken care of so it will last longer.
When asked about trade between Sierra Leone and China; Ambassador Kuang said both countries have reason to be happy with each other because the economic profitability of the relationship. He revealed that trade between the two countries last year doubled to the tune of US$ 725 million (seven hundred and twenty million dollars) with Chinese imports tripling to 169%.
The Ambassador also revealed that Chinese investments in Sierra Leone over the last ten years have diversified, with investments in rice being the staple food of the country and disclosed a US$ 1.2m (One million, two hundred thousand Dollars) further investment on rice and rubber productions.
He maintained that the hospital in Jui, the hydro project at Charlotte and Makali are all pro-poor investment projects by China to help improve Sierra Leone.
“If we are given the chance, China wants to do more for Sierra Leone because, in the view of China, Sierra Leoneans are suffering especially to feed themselves. Food is not easy to come by in spite of all the rains and other agricultural potentials of the country. Apart from food, we have also noticed that the people don’t have access to clean water. This is another area in which China would love to intervene in order to ameliorate the suffering of the people and to improve their lives,” Ambassador Weilin asserted.
He disclosed that very soon a Chinese company will be in town as they want to invest on energy and water that have eluded the people of Sierra Leone. The ambassador said Sierra Leoneans deserve more especially on food and water that are of short supply in the country. “China will do all it can to help increase the food and water supply in the country as these are basic amenities that should not be lacking in any country.
When asked about the new airport, the ambassador said all the feasibility studies had been done and the airport will be built along the Freetown Masiaka highway at Mamamah. He said the airport will cost around US$300 million dollars and when construction starts, it will last for four years. The airport he said will help to improve the country’s image and will increase the number of flights to and from Sierra Leone as the airport would be a modern airport that can be compared with many international airports all over the world.
“I am proud to be in Sierra Leone at this time when so many projects are being implemented and I will try my best to make sure that many more Chinese investments come to the country during my tenure,” the Ambassador averred.
On education, Ambassador Kuang Weilin said since the Sino-Sierra Leone relationship, China has been helping to improve the educational standard of Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole. He said China is a developing country that understands the problems of Sierra Leone and other developing countries. “It is in that vein that we have been building schools and awarding scholarships to Sierra Leoneans to pursue various courses and disciplines in China.
He said last year they were able to establish the Confucius Institute with over 1,000 students who have registered to study the Chinese language. “I was overwhelmed to know that Sierra Leoneans are keen on studying Chinese”. He said these students will have the opportunity to further their studies in china and return to help in the development process in Sierra Leone. He said they have provided the teachers to help in the institute.
This year’s applicants that will further their studies in China through the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) totals 34, all of whom were fortunate to get the scholarship and would be leaving the shores of Sierra Leone for China in September. He said thousands of Africans including Sierra Leoneans have benefitted from this scholarship scheme. “These students have returned home to help develop Sierra Leone in different spheres,” he averred.
The Ambassador said he is however concerned about Sierra Leoneans’ disrespect for time. “The many times that I have had meetings with public officials, they will always come one hour late. This is unacceptable, time is money and it is very important for people to be time conscious. The people of Sierra Leone do not have time for luxury, much time have been wasted which can no longer be regained. Sierra Leoneans need to recover those lost times in order to meet their pressing socio-economic development needs,” the Ambassador posited.
He said China will continue to help Sierra Leoneans in exchange programmes so they can have more experience relating to time keeping; something that the country badly needs. He said there are many things to be done in Sierra Leone at a faster rate if we are to defeat poverty. He said he can’t believe why clean water should be of short supply when there is abundant rainfall. “This beats my imagination, how can a country endowed with so much fertile land and still cannot feed itself, this is unbelievable, and China will definitely work with the government to produce more food for the people so that peace and security will prevail.
When asked about China helping to improve some sporting disciplines like Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Badminton, the Ambassador said China will be able to help but to him, sports is secondary matter when one considers the hunger that is threatening the people.
“I will do my best to help improve these sports in the country, but let us first think about providing enough food for the people to eat so they can have the energy to play Badminton or football,” he averred.
When asked about substandard goods coming from China, Ambassador Kuang said it is true that these goods are bought from China. He stressed the point that substandard goods are everywhere not only in china and Sierra Leone, but other countries too, producing these goods. He said the reason for so many substandard goods in the Sierra Leone Market is because the importers want to buy cheap and make high profits. Secondly, he said the earning power of Sierra Leoneans is very low. “With time, as the economy grows, people will start buying quality goods because they are better and durable. He appealed to the importers to buy quality goods because they are available in China as they do not only produce fake and substandard but more than 90% of the companies produce high quality goods. China is the world’s factory as goods produced in China is dominant in all the markets of the world.
On the hope of China building a harmonious world, the Ambassador expressed optimism in China’s efforts to ensure, maintain and sustain world peace, stating that China has experiences of both war and peace.
“It is because of this reason that we are working with Africa as a strategic partner so all of us can benefit and live peacefully. Many people who think negatively about China either do not know much about the country or they are merely afraid of its foreign policy directed at Africa that having Africa developed is disadvantageous to them. We hold Africa in high esteem; we regard Africans as our brothers and sisters and we believe that a developed Africa will improve trade, business and peace in the world,” Ambassador Weilin asserted.
He said China was the last to come in Africa and their relationship with Africa is win-win. He said China has respect for all and in turn other countries too should respect China because if there is respect and harmony, the world will have peace. He said the BRICS organization is helping to stabilize the world’s economy as one fifth of the world’s economy is in the hands of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. “A developed world will mean a peaceful world,” he said.
The Ambassador said China will continue on its path of development until Africa has been emancipated from poverty. He said China respects Africans as human beings who deserve to live better and developed lives. He said Africans should be treated as equals in every aspect of international relations. “I am very proud that China is investing and helping Africa,” he affirmed and expressed hope that African countries will reciprocate to making the world a better place to live.
Finally I made a personal plea to the Ambassador to help us get a ferry that will help the poor between Freetown and Lungi.
Ambassador Kuang Weilin said he will consider my plea because it was important to get a better and affordable ferry for the poor people.
He said he will consider bringing in a company to run an effective ferry service across the straight, or hand the running to government.
“Both way, I am looking into the matter and I will surely do something in sympathy of the poor people of this country,” he assured.
Ambassador Kuang Weilin is from Shanghai and has been in the Foreign Service for decades. He is living with His wife in Sierra Leone.
August 15, 2013
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