Ambassador Zhao Yanbo will leave Sierra Leone today after two years nine month in the position. Before he leaves he was awarded Doctor of Civil Laws Honoris Causa by Fourah Bay College for his excellent work in the country especially during the Ebola crisis.
Before receiving the award on Friday 30th September, Ambassador Zhao was at State House on Thursday to bid farewell to President Koroma.
Ambassador Zhao Yanbo thanked President Koroma for his support and said his tenure has heightened China’s bilateral relations, cooperation, building relationships and making his stay rewarding and meaningful. Ambassador Zhao Yanbo registered his government’s commitment to the Mamamah project and the construction of a Centre for Disease Control Hospital in Sierra Leone.
He furthered that Chinese projects have resumed across the country and stated that he has created the enabling environment for his successor to continue in similar vein. While extending invitation for President Koroma to visit China, he presented a congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping on President Koroma’s forthcoming 63rd birthday October 2nd (yesterday Sunday).
President Koroma thanked Ambassador Yanbo for his tremendous work done in Sierra Leone and described him as more than an ambassador in enhancing growth, strengthening friendly cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations. He recounted the significant role played by the People’s Republic of China in the fight against the unprecedented Ebola outbreak, and noted that China’s swift support in defeating the evil virus triggered the international community to join the fight to end the outbreak and also acknowledged the ambassador’s efforts in supporting social mobilization across the country.
The president also thanked the Chinese Government for showing interest in supporting government’s development programmes particularly the commencement of the Mamamah International Airport Project. “It’s unfortunate that you will not be here for the commissioning of the Mamamah Airport which will commence soon,” he said. He pointed out the increase in bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries, increased visits of high profile Chinese officials, scholarships and capacity training to Sierra Leoneans among others. While wishing the outgoing ambassador the best in his future assignment, President Koroma looked forward to visiting the People’s Republic of China soon.
Before receiving the degree the Principal of the College and Vice Chancellor of University of Sierra Leone said Ambassador Zhao Yanbo has been a very good friend of the college and the country as a whole.
He said the development of the Confucius Institute and him awarding scholarships to six students was exceptional to them and they believe he deserves more.
The Vice Chancellor said Amb. Zhao was a frequent visitor to the college and gave them moral and financial support always to improve the learning conditions of the student.
“Ambassador Zhao Yanbo has been a true friend of our university and provided exchange programmes for our lecturers and other academic officials to go to China and have some knowledge of how Chinese higher education has gradually been developed. He set up the “Ambassador Scholarship programme where he said six students annually will benefit from the Ambassador to help them with their studies. Even though he is leaving he has assured us that his successor will continue the scheme.” It was for his exemplary contribution to education that he was awarded the Doctorate degree by the college officials.
Responding, Ambassador Zhao said he was not expecting such gesture from the college as he was surprised that they appreciated all he did for them. He said education is the bedrock of any country’s development and that is the reason why he was supporting the college because with more literate people in the country, it will be very easy for the country to develop.
He thanked the staff and pupils for their appreciation and promised that his successor will continue where he left off and that the good relationship that has existed between the two countries will continue to flourish.
“I have so many friends in Sierra Leone, my stay here was great and I will miss you all. I enjoyed working in this country and I hope that China and Sierra Leone will continue to develop the relationship and Sierra Leone will soon be like China.
Monday October 03, 2016