Current location:Global Gazette news portal > health
Sierra Leonean president's China visit to enhance cooperation, friendship
Global Gazette news portal2024-05-22 10:20:29【health】1People have gathered around
IntroductionPresident of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio started a state visit to China from Febru
President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio started a state visit to China from February 27 (Tuesday) till March 2, during which he is scheduled to meet with Chinese leaders and to further promote cooperation in various fields and friendship.
Analysts believe that President Bio's visit, the first by an African country's head of state in 2024, may also be part of efforts to boost China-Africa cooperation, as Chinese and Sierra Leonean leaders may further exchange views on the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) gathering scheduled to be held in the second half of 2024 in Beijing.
President Bio arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, with Chinese vice foreign minister Deng Li greeting him at the airport, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for President Bio, and that the two heads of state will hold talks.
Mao noted that China and Sierra Leone enjoy a traditional friendship. She said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two sides have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, carried out efficient cooperation in the field of economic and social development, and maintained close coordination on international affairs.
"In particular, our two peoples have forged a deep friendship by joining hands to fight against Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic," Mao said.
It is believed that this visit will inject new impetus into the comprehensive and in-depth development of China-Sierra Leone ties, and push for more achievements in the friendly cooperation between the two countries, Mao noted.
With this visit, Bio becomes the last foreign head of state to visit China before the 2024 annual two sessions, analysts said.
Inviting President Bio to visit China ahead of a special event demonstrates the profound friendship between the two countries, and also highlights the political mutual trust between China and Africa, He Wenping, a director with the Institute of West Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Given that African countries including Zambia and Ethiopia have upgraded diplomatic relations with China in 2023, He noted that it cannot be ruled out that China and Sierra Leone will further enhance political mutual trust by upgrading bilateral relations.
In an interview with the Xinhua News Agency ahead of Bio's state visit, Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah hailed the two countries' friendship as "one of Sierra Leone's most important relationships," which "has delivered tangible results across multiple areas."
Bah thanked China for assisting Sierra Leone's infrastructure needs by constructing roads, bridges and major buildings. The minister also extolled the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other initiatives China has championed, which he said will benefit the Global South and beyond.
In recent years, China has supported Sierra Leone in various areas such as infrastructure construction, fishing cooperation and education, as well as public health, according to Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
China is also Sierra Leone's largest trading partner, and Chinese companies have also increased their cooperation with Sierra Leone in the mining and steel industries in recent years, Song noted.
Under the frameworks of BRI and FOCAC, the two sides are likely to further strengthen cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, education, people-to-people exchanges, and China can also offer assistance in trending areas such as digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, 5G networks, and new-energy vehicles, He said.
"The FOCAC is a large-scale cooperation platform for China and African countries to jointly synergize their development plans… Chinese and Sierra Leonean leaders are also expected to discuss the FOCAC issues and China-Africa practical cooperation around it," said Song.
Address of this article:http://mauritius.afischerphasedrives.com/article-33f099896.html
Very good!(31)
Related articles
- Kansas takes control in the ninth and beats Kansas State in the opener of the Big 12 Tournament
- Thierry Henry blames Declan Rice for Bayern Munich's opener at the Emirates
- Lauren Sanchez turns heads with figure
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce doing Coachella in style! They will be staying at a TOP luxury members
- Caitlin Clark returns for 2nd half against Sun after apparent left leg injury in 1st half
- Neymar jokes about his contribution to Al
- Grand National Festival horse Giovinco dies after falling mid
- Civil Aviation backtracks over technology for medical checks on pilots, air traffic controllers
- Election 2024: Nikki Haley faces a key decision on whether or not to endorse Trump
- Man United are 'playing like a small club', blasts Roy Keane after their 2
Popular articles
Recommended
Slovak Parliament votes to condemn political violence after assassination attempt on prime minister
Fernando Alonso commits his future to Aston Martin by signing new two
Conor McGregor hails Dana White after the UFC president announced post
NZDF warns government again it is in dire state
France hits go
Kylie Minogue looks effortlessly chic in a pink silk co
In Pictures: Rare celestial event totally eclipsed by thick cloud in Hong Kong
Beijing court jails Chinese
Links
- Taylor Swift leaves QR codes with secret meanings in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of the much
- Google is combining its Android software and Pixel hardware divisions to more broadly integrate AI
- Taylor Swift channels her bridal Grammy look in Fortnight video teaser
- Taylor Swift leaves QR codes with secret meanings in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of the much
- Croatia's top court rules President Milanović cannot be prime minister because of campaign
- Dutch soccer club Vitesse docked points and relegated during probe of Russian ties to Abramovich
- Croatia's top court rules President Milanović cannot be prime minister because of campaign
- Survival expert reveals what to do if you fall OVERBOARD on a cruise ship
- French league delays PSG and Marseille games while both still in European competitions
- An appeals court dismisses charges against a Michigan election worker who downloaded a voter list